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Motorcycist who struck 87-year-old won't be charged

Pedestrian's condition improves to serious as of Friday, officials say.

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Staff Report 2:43 AM Saturday, November 21, 2009

FRANKLIN TWP. — No charges will be filed against a motorcyclist who struck an 87-year-old pedestrian in the roadway last week as she walked to her mailbox on Robinson-Vail Road near Ohio 122.

Also, the pedestrian struck, Leah Wideman, is improving. On the afternoon of Nov. 14 she was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton and had been listed in critical condition for several days following the accident. She was listed in serious condition Friday, Nov. 20, according to hospital officials.

The motorcyclist who struck Wideman, 37-year-old John Goonan of Springboro, was adhering to the speed limit and “took every evasive action” as his 1994 Harley-Davidson motorcycle went down due to his “excessive braking,” Sgt. Clint Arnold, assistant commander of the Ohio Highway Patrol’s Lebanon post, said Friday evening.

“From our perspective, he did all he could possibly do to avoid striking the pedestrian,” Arnold said. “The motorcycle had the right to be on the road and pedestrian has to yield (the right of way).”

Goonan received minor injuries but was not taken to a hospital.

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