CINCINNATI — Mike Romans’ life ended in a crash June 3, but it took another month for him to die.
The 62-year-old, who was brain dead the night of the accident, underwent multiple surgeries, none of them successful, before his family and friends decided to take him off life support. He died July 3.
Hamilton County authorities charged 29-year-old Donald Miller with Romans’ death Wednesday; Miller was speeding, police said, and hit Romans’ motorcycle from behind while he was waiting for a red light.
Although a homicide or vehicular manslaughter conviction could deliver justice, Mike Romans' widow, Kaye Romans, said nothing can ease her pain.
“I don’t think there’s really any solace or closure,” she said.
Mike and Kaye were waiting for a red light on their way home that night when Miller’s car struck their motorcycle, according to police. Both passengers were thrown from the vehicle on impact, and both were severely injured.
“His brain swelling was so bad they removed part of his skull,” said Dale Warren, the last person to see Romans before the crash.
Mike and Kaye, Warren said, were on their way home from wishing him a happy birthday when it happened.
Doctors declared Mike braindead after several attempts at lifesaving surgery. Warren said he was in the room when the decision was made to take Mike off life support and allow him to die in hospice care.
The accused driver, Donald Miller, was charged with vehicular manslaughter and vehicular homicide in connection with Romans’ death July 27.
“Mike’s gone,” Warren said, remembering a friend who loved cars, cooking and the Indian motorcycling he was riding the night of the crash. “There’s nothing gonna bring him back.”
Kaye Romans was still recovering from her own injuries the day Miller's charges were filed.
"I’m pretty sure it wasn’t intentional," she said of the crash. "But my husband’s gone now. He’s dead. There's not going to be any closure either way.”
