Toledo Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash

31-year-old John Peters lost control of his bike on Cherry Street, striking another vehicle.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A 31-year-old Toledo man named John Peters was killed on Sunday afternoon when he lost control of his motorcycle on Cherry Street and was ejected, with the driverless motorcycle then striking another vehicle driven by a 60-year-old man from Michigan. The cause of the crash is still under investigation by Toledo police.

Why it matters

Motorcycle crashes are a major cause of traffic fatalities, especially in urban areas like Toledo where high speeds and congestion can contribute to these types of tragic incidents. This story highlights the importance of motorcycle safety and the need for continued efforts to improve road conditions and driver awareness.

The details

According to the police report, John Peters was traveling northbound on Cherry Street near Manhattan Boulevard around 4:30 pm on Sunday when he lost control of his motorcycle and was ejected. After Peters was thrown from the bike, the driverless motorcycle then struck a southbound vehicle driven by 60-year-old Roberto Velez of Erie Township, Michigan. Velez was not injured in the collision.

  • The incident occurred on Sunday, February 16, 2026 around 4:30 pm.

The players

John Peters

A 31-year-old Toledo resident who was killed in the motorcycle crash.

Roberto Velez

A 60-year-old man from Erie Township, Michigan whose vehicle was struck by the driverless motorcycle after the initial crash.

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What’s next

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Toledo police.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for increased motorcycle safety education, enforcement of traffic laws, and infrastructure improvements to prevent similar fatal crashes in the future and protect all road users.