CRASH INVESTIGATION

On March 28, 2025 at approximately 5:24 p.m. Darke County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center received a call from Preble County Sheriff's Office Dispatch of a blue pick-up truck that was driving in the wrong lanes of Interstate 70, and was now traveling northbound on US Route 127 towards Darke County. Darke County Dispatch received more calls of this truck traveling northbound at a very high rate of speed. Deputies were dispatched and while checking the area were informed that this truck was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of US 127 bypass and was just involved in a crash at the intersection of Kruckeberg Road.

Preliminary investigation revealed Andrew Leininger 40, of Celina was traveling northbound on US Route 127 driving his blue Ford F-150 in the northbound lanes of the four-lane bypass and then sideswiped a trailer being pulled by another pick-up truck just south of the US Route 36 overpass. The blue F-150 then crossed over to drive northbound in the southbound lanes of US 127. While doing so, he struck and gray Toyota Tundra driven by Scott Price 51, of Union City Oh. that had been driving northbound on US Route 127 and was making a left hand turn towards Kruckeberg Road. After the collision, Leininger ran from the crash scene towards the St. Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery. A Greenville Police Officer observed him running towards the cemetery and while trying to apprehend Leininger the police officer had to climb over a fence and while doing so fell causing personal injury to his shoulder. This officer and another Greenville Police Officer were able to apprehend Leininger in the cemetery.

The injured police officer was taken to WayneHealth for his injury. Mr. Price was treated and released at the scene. Leininger was uninjured in the crash. Leininger was placed into custody for suspicion of being under the influence of drugs, and being held for felony obstructing official business. Other charges will be filed at a later date.