FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION

On October 11, 2021 at approximately 4:07 P.M. Darke County Deputies along with Gettysburg Fire and Rescue responded to the 6600 block of State Route 571 on a reported head-on crash involving a dump truck and motorcycle.

Preliminary investigation revealed a white 2009 Freightliner M2 dump truck driven by Gregory Friend 55, of Tipp City, OH. was traveling eastbound on State Route 571 attempting to pass another eastbound vehicle and struck a westbound silver 2003 Suzuki Bandit motorcycle head-on operated by John Neargarder 39, of Greenville. Neargarder was pronounced dead at the scene while Friend was treated and released at the scene.

Assisting with the crash investigation was Darke County Sheriff's Office accident reconstruction team, Motor Carrier Enforcement from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Darke County Coroner's Office.

This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office.