Wednesday, July 19th, 2017
Local crash victim dies
Officials probing accident
By Sydney Albert
CELINA - A multi-vehicle crash that occurred at 8:17 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of State Route 29 and State Route 118/Burkettsville-St. Henry Road claimed the life of a St. Marys man.
Charles W. Ward, 57, was pronounced dead at Mercer County Community Hospital, Coldwater, from injuries sustained in the accident, according to a news release from the Mercer County Sheriff's Office.
This marks the third fatal crash in Mercer County this year, according to sheriff Jeff Grey.
A 2008 Kia driven by Lisa Rinderle, 27, of St. Henry reportedly was northbound on Burkettsville-St.Henry Road when it came to a stop at the intersection of State Route 29, according to the release. Rinderle then reportedly failed to yield the right of way and her vehicle proceeded into the intersection, colliding with a westbound 2001 Freightliner driven by Ward.
Ward's semi overturned and slid broadside down State Route 29, where the cab was struck by an eastbound 2018 Volvo semitrailer driven by Terry A. Green II, 37, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Grey on Tuesday described Rinderle as being "alert" after the accident. She also was transported to Community Hospital. A hospital spokesperson declined to comment on her condition.
Green was treated and released at the scene.
Captain Doug Timmerman told the newspaper on Tuesday that no alcohol or drugs had been detected, and at least two of the parties involved had been wearing seatbelts.
Roads were closed for about 7 hours as crews worked to investigate the accident and clear the road, he added.
The crash remains under investigation. Once the investigation is completed, the sheriff's office will have the case reviewed by the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office for possible charges, according to the release.
Grey called the Mercer County Sheriff's Office Reconstruction Team to the scene for the investigation. His office was assisted by members of the Celina Fire and EMS, Mercer County EMS, Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers, Ohio Department of Transportation, Mercer County Emergency Management and the State Motor Vehicle Inspector.
