A 73-year-old man from Mount Vernon tragically lost his life due to injuries sustained in a two-vehicle accident on Columbus Road, near the intersection of South Main Street, on Thursday afternoon. The accident involved a motorcycle and a commercial dump truck.

According to a press release from the Mount Vernon Police Department, local police officers and emergency personnel from the Mount Vernon Fire Department responded to the accident at 4:36 p.m. on May 2. The victim, identified as Robert (Bob) Staats, was found at the scene and pronounced dead.

Police Chief Robert K. Morgan stated that due to the nature of the accident, assistance was sought from the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP). Upon their arrival, control of the scene was transferred to OSHP as they assumed the role of lead investigative agency for this incident. Further updates will be provided by OSHP.

As per another press release from the Mount Vernon Police Department, no citations or charges have been filed yet as investigations are still ongoing.

Morgan expressed condolences on behalf of his department towards those affected by this tragic incident. "The Mount Vernon Police Department would like to extend its condolences to the Staats family and all others who have been affected by this tragic incident," he said.