By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

WEST CHESTER - A motorcycle rider was in serious condition Thursday after an accident that started when another driver reached for her rosary beads.

Max Belfor, 26, of West Chester, was taken to Bethesda North Hospital after a motorist struck him while he was traveling southbound on Interstate 75 in West Chester. The impact sent him sliding across the pavement and threw his body onto the side of a retaining wall.

A pickup truck, which was also hit by the car in the chain collision, slid into the wall, but did not hit Belfor, said Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper Bob Phillips. Belfor was wearing a helmet.

The accident occurred near Interstate 275 just before noon. Karen Koss, 47, was driving a Mazda Miata south on I-75 in the left lane when she reached for her rosary beads and the car drifted to the left, Phillips said.

She then jerked her car to the right, striking Belfor's motorcycle, which was in the center lane.

The car hit a pickup truck, forcing its right wheels up onto the retaining wall. Belfor had also slid onto the wall, and the truck ended up straddling Belfor's body.

Koss was treated and released from Bethesda North. The driver of the pickup, Steven Zavislak, 50, of Batavia was not hurt.

E-mail daveck@fuse.net