On the morning of September 20, at 8:19 a.m., the quiet streets of Union City were shattered by a tragic accident at the intersection of North Main and East High Streets.
The early dawn was disrupted by the sound of screeching tires and the impact of metal colliding with a motorcycle—an incident that would leave one man gravely injured and the community mourning his loss.
John P. Shellito, a 59-year-old motorcycle rider, was traveling northbound along Route 8 when the crash occurred. According to police reports, Shellito was navigating the intersection when a 2023 Ford pickup, driven by 67-year-old Christopher E. Amacher, attempted a left turn into East High Street. The turn was made at a green light, seemingly giving the driver the right of way, but the aftermath suggested that the maneuver was executed improperly.
As Amacher’s truck entered the intersection, Shellito’s motorcycle was unable to avoid the sudden obstacle. The motorcycle’s front wheel struck the truck’s side mirror, a collision that sent shockwaves through the rider. The force of the impact caused Shellito to lose control of his bike, which veered sharply off course. In a harrowing moment, he was thrown from his motorcycle onto the pavement, landing critically injured on the east sidewalk.
Witnesses at the scene described the chaos and urgency that unfolded in those fleeting seconds. Some recalls the screeching of tires, others the metallic crash of the mirror against the bike, and a collective gasp as Shellito hit the ground. Emergency services were called immediately, and paramedics arrived swiftly to tend to Shellito’s critical injuries. He was rushed to UPMC Hamot in Erie
