Iraq veteran, 24, is killed in road crash

More people need to be aware of motorcycles. I am a rider and I would guess that if I ride everyday in a week, I could get up to 20 close calls because people are too busy doing everything but concentrating on the road, and looking out for other people that may be walking or riding. I witnessed a terrible bike crash a couple of months ago, and it changed the way I ride forever. Too bad this marine doesn't get a second chance. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Thank you for your efforts in Iraq!

What an awesome guy. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you so much for serving our country! It just makes you wonder what is it all about!

Sincere condolences to the O'Connell family. He will always be your inspiration.
Keep making people laugh, and he'll be right beside you.

rider wrote:

More people need to be aware of motorcycles. I am a rider and I would guess that if I ride everyday in a week, I could get up to 20 close calls because people are too busy doing everything but concentrating on the road, and looking out for other people that may be walking or riding. I witnessed a terrible bike crash a couple of months ago, and it changed the way I ride forever. Too bad this marine doesn't get a second chance. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Thank you for your efforts in Iraq!

Are you saying the crash that killed this man involved another vehicle? I didn't see that in the story.

God bless you and your family and Thank you for your service!

sad story - "but" reckless actions have serious consequences

anonamous
Canton, OH Reply »

he was my friend...him and his cousin were drinking and riding over 100mph

Motorcycle accident fatal
August 2nd, 2008 · No Comments
HINCKLEY TWP.— A Seville man was killed in a motorcycle accident early Friday morning on Center Road, and another motorcyclist was injured.

Hinckley police reported:

About 3 a.m., Purnell O’Connell, 24, died from severe trauma after his motorcycle failed to negotiate a turn and traveled off the right side of Center Road, striking trees and a ditch.

A witness said O’Connell passed another motorcyclist, Jonathan Sopko, 24, of Richfield, at a high rate of speed before he crashed. When Sopko came across the debris from O’Connell’s crash, he lost control of his motorcycle and slid down the road.

Both men were wearing helmets.

Sopko was treated and released at Southwest General Health Center, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Members of the Hinckley Fire Department, Brunswick Hills Township and Richfield police departments, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Medina County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Department of Transportation assisted at the scene

Ya know, a few weeks ago two teenage boys tried to cross train tracks ahead of a train. They lost, but both lived. You should have read the posts after that. More than a few people called the boys stupid, idiots, etc. and suggested Darwinism was at work. Now we have a man here who (according to his friend) was drinking, speeding over 100 mph and operating his motorcycle recklessly at 3 a.m., and he crashes and dies. Everyone posting here is sympathetic, as they should be, but I can't stop thinking about how hateful people were to those two teenage boys. Double standard at work here. All involved made mistakes.

the number one cause of death for military personnel is automobile and motorcycle accidents

Wow wrote:

Ya know, a few weeks ago two teenage boys tried to cross train tracks ahead of a train. They lost, but both lived. You should have read the posts after that. More than a few people called the boys stupid, idiots, etc. and suggested Darwinism was at work. Now we have a man here who (according to his friend) was drinking, speeding over 100 mph and operating his motorcycle recklessly at 3 a.m., and he crashes and dies. Everyone posting here is sympathetic, as they should be, but I can't stop thinking about how hateful people were to those two teenage boys. Double standard at work here. All involved made mistakes.

Everyone makes mistakes.

My heart breaks for him, his family and friends. I know this is not the place or time for a big long discussion but I feel the world has forgotten about the war and the soldiers...ones killed, ones still fighting and those who come home.
My heartfelt sympathy,
A Proud Marine Mom
Norwalk, OH

Sorry for the loss of their Son
My heart goes out to the family & friends.

Thinning of the heard,
You are no friend of my son and some of your "facts" are incorrect.

Wow wrote:

Ya know, a few weeks ago two teenage boys tried to cross train tracks ahead of a train. They lost, but both lived. You should have read the posts after that. More than a few people called the boys stupid, idiots, etc. and suggested Darwinism was at work. Now we have a man here who (according to his friend) was drinking, speeding over 100 mph and operating his motorcycle recklessly at 3 a.m., and he crashes and dies. Everyone posting here is sympathetic, as they should be, but I can't stop thinking about how hateful people were to those two teenage boys. Double standard at work here. All involved made mistakes.

You said it !

3 AM accidents almost always mean 'was drinking'. Guess what time the bars close?

Any RIDER out there knows motorcycles are inherently more dangerous to operate than cars.

Your risk of fatal injury rises EXPONENTIALLY with a linear increase in MPH.

Some lessons some riders never learn.

Everyone here has their opinions and everyone will say them. The fact here is that a family has lost a son, grandson, friend, soldier. Why can't people just put aside your "opinions" and let the family mourn. People make mistakes, everyone does. You love them regardless if you are true friend. People need to stop judging others before the know facts.
Let the family mourn.

Fair Veteran wrote:

<quoted text>
Then they best stay away from an online forum so they don't get their feelings hurt.
Aside from that, what facts were left out here in this article? If the kid was doing something stupid, don't you feel the rest of the community should at least try to learn from it?
We discuss motorcycle safety in the military every 6 months. Of course that doesn't keep members from doing dumb things. But this will end up as an "accident report" that will be discussed with other military members nationwide. Hopefully the particulars of this accident will be used to keep others safe.

WOW,,,havent seen the 107th ACR patch in awhile....what Squadron were you with??? 3/107th here

A mom too wrote:

Everyone here has their opinions and everyone will say them. The fact here is that a family has lost a son, grandson, friend, soldier. Why can't people just put aside your "opinions" and let the family mourn. People make mistakes, everyone does. You love them regardless if you are true friend. People need to stop judging others before the know facts.
Let the family mourn.

Because it's a public forum for opinions??..just a WAG..sjt

Fair Veteran wrote:

<quoted text>
4th when it was still the RAS, Regimental Air Squadron.

HOOAH!!! Sure miss those days in Grayling!!

I went to high school with Purnell - i had a spanish class with him with Ms. Kneir. He was a funny guy - I'm very saddened by this news. God bless his soul and his family.

i just recently found out about this. i worked wit your son at mcdonalds and i was crushed to hear this. he was a great guy and everyone loved him please do not listen to anything anyone saya cause if they were in your position they wouldnt wanna hear it...

Purnells Dad wrote:

Thinning of the heard,
You are no friend of my son and some of your "facts" are incorrect.