PREBLE COUNTY — Separate motorcycle and UTV crashes killed two Preble County residents last weekend.

Peyton L. Shillingburg, 20, of Eaton, died as a result of a motorcycle crash on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Bradley W. Cummins, 37, a Lakengren resident, died as a result of a UTV crash on Sunday, Sept. 17.

At press time, the Preble County Sheriff’s Office and Preble County Coroner’s Office was investigating the single-vehicle fatal crash which occurred on Saturday, at approximately 11:23 p.m. on Eldorado-Whitewater Road, west of Township Line Road, claiming the life of Shillingburg. The preliminary investigation found Shillingburg was traveling west on Eldorado-Whitewater Road operating a 2007 Kawasaki motorcycle when he failed to negotiate a curve, according to Sheriff Mike Simpson. The motorcycle traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a utility pole. Shillingburg was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, according to Simpson. He was transported to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office where an autopsy was to be performed. “Alcohol is likely a factor in this crash,” Simpson said in a press release.

Northwest Fire & EMS responded to the scene.

The PCSO is also investigating a fatal crash involving a Polaris UTV which occurred in the gated community of Lakengren in Gratis Township on Sunday, Sept. 17.

According to PCSO officials, at approximately 2:42 a.m. Sunday, a 2016 Polaris RZR UTV was discovered in a yard near 74 Lakengren Drive.

“Investigators found the driver deceased in the yard near the ATV. The preliminary investigation found that the UTV was traveling south on Lakengren Drive when it traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a driveway culvert,” Simpson said in a press release. “The UTV flipped and came to rest on its side. The driver was ejected from the vehicle.”

The driver and only occupant was identified as Cummins.

Investigators believe alcohol was a factor in this crash as well, the release noted. The crash remained under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the Preble County Coroner’s Office at press time.

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.