ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a motorcycle crash that killed a passenger early Sunday morning in Belmont County. Robert Straight, 48, of Belmont, was driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle at about 2:58 a.m. Sunday on County Road 29 when he lost control attempting to avoid striking cows on the road.

The motorcycle overturned and a passenger, Kimberly Bable, 49, of Jerusalem, was later pronounced dead at the scene. Straight was transported to Wheeling Medical Park Hospital with minor injuries.

The two were not wearing safety helmets and alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol. The crash is still under investigation.