On June 2, 2026 at approximately 12:33 p.m. Darke County Deputies along with Greenville Township Fire and Rescue, Greenville City Fire, and Lutheran Air, responded to the 2600 block of State Route 571 for a 2-vehicle head-on crash with injuries. Preliminary investigation revealed a red 2025 Ram pick-up truck driven by Larry Addis, 82, of Greenville, was traveling southeast on State Route 571 when he drove left-of-center colliding head-on with a red 2021 Toyota Prius, which was traveling northwest, driven by Lorretta Biggs, 62, of Troy. Biggs was pronounced dead at the scene, and Addis was flown to Miami Valley Hospital aboard Lutheran Air. The Darke County Coroner's Office and Darke County Sheriff's Office Accident Reconstruction Team also assisted with this investigation. This crash remains under investigation. ----- Update On June 2, 2026 at 4:57 pm Larry Addis died as a result of his injuries sustained in the accident.

On January 29, 2026, Darke County Sheriff’s Deputies along with assistance from Greenville Police, executed a narcotics search warrant at 202 E. Fifth Street in Greenville. As a result of that search, narcotics and drug paraphernalia were located in the home.  Arrested was Kailee S. Miller, age 30, of 202 E. Fifth Street, on one count of felony possession of drugs. Miller was incarcerated in the Darke County Jail pending her arraignment in court. Information received in this investigation was derived in part from tips from concerned citizens.  Sheriff Mark Whittaker continues to encourage citizens to report suspicious activity. Tips can be left with the Darke County Sheriff’s Office at 937-548-2020. Callers can remain anonymous if they wish.

As of 01/29/2026 at 8:00am the Darke County Sheriff has cancelled all snow advisories. There is no active snow advisory at this time. ---------------------- Please check back on this page, our Facebook and X (twitter) pages, or your trusted news sources for updates. As a reminder, do not  call the Darke County Sheriff's Office Dispatch Center for snow advisory updates, as they could be busy taking emergency calls. ---------------------- The Darke County Sheriff issues snow advisories to provide the public with information on the driving conditions on Darke County roadways during times of winter weather. Keep in mind that Darke County is 600 square miles and conditions in the city or village may vary vastly from those in the open, rural areas.   The citizens, businesses and employers of Darke County can use this information to make informed decisions on their need to travel or remain open for business. The Darke County Sheriff does not dictate which businesses, industries or schools are open or closed. The owners, managers and administrators make those decisions, likely based on a number of factors which include road conditions and weather forecasts.   The Darke County Sheriff sets the levels based on information coming from the National Weather Service, State, County and local road crews and public safety crews actively on the roadways. During extreme winter weather it is important to allow the road crews to clear the roads, with minimal obstructions and traffic, so that we may return to safe driving conditions sooner than later.

** UPDATED NEWS RELEASE ** DARKE COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE IDENTIFIES SUBJECTS On January 20, 2026 the Darke County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Office of Dr. Susan Brown, Darke County Coroner that the two occupants found deceased in the cargo van have been identified. The three vehicle crash occurred on State Route 49 on Friday morning January 16, 2026. The occupants are identified as Joshua Armstrong, age 19 of Greenville, OH and Carl Schlechty, age 18 of Greenville, OH. Mark Whittaker Darke County Sheriff 937-548-2020 ————— On January 16, 2026 at approximately 7:21AM the Darke County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a vehicle fire and possible crash in the 2400 block of State Route 49. Arcanum Fire, Arcanum Rescue, Pitsburg Fire, Darke County Sheriff’s deputies and Arcanum Police Department responded to the scene. Initial arriving responders discovered a three vehicle crash with two vehicles fully engulfed in flames. City of Greenville Fire Department, Greenville Township EMS and Careflight were also called to the scene. Preliminary investigation revealed that a full size cargo van pulling a trailer was traveling north on State Route 49 with two adult male occupants when it crossed the centerline and struck a southbound 2023 Chevrolet medical transport bus being operated by Chris Bemis, age 63 of St. Marys, OH. The bus contained one juvenile passenger and an aid, identified as Bonnie Behee, age 62 of New Madison, OH. After striking the bus the cargo van continued north hitting a 2013 Dodge sedan being operated by Kenadie Hensley, age 18 of Arcanum, OH. The cargo van and sedan both caught fire and Hensley was able to immediately escape her vehicle. The two male occupants in the cargo van were found deceased in the vehicle. Behee and the juvenile passenger in the transport bus were removed, treated and transported to Wayne Healthcare by EMS with non-life threatening injuries. Chris Bemis, driver of the transport bus was trapped in the vehicle and had to be mechanically extricated from the bus by Fire/ Rescue. He was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by Careflight where he died from his injuries. Hensley was treated at the scene by EMS and released. The Darke County Coroner’s Office and Darke County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Crash Reconstruction team are actively investigating this crash. The identification of the two occupants of the cargo van are pending examination and testing by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. State Route 49 was closed for approximately 5 hours during the investigation. Mark Whittaker Darke County Sheriff 937-548-2020

On Saturday, November 29, 2025 at approximately 1:18 am, Darke County Deputies along with Hollansburg Fire Department, Tri-Village Rescue, Arcanum Rescue, and Medflight responded to the 100 Block of S Main Street in Hollansburg reference a single vehicle crash. Investigation revealed a 2001 red Chevrolet Silverado driven by Dylan Ackley, 21, of New Madison, Ohio, was traveling south on S Main St. Mr. Ackley drove off the left side of the road and struck a tree. Mr. Ackley was flown by Medflight to the Miami Valley Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Mr. Ackley’s two passengers, Bailey Bensman, 19, of Hollansburg, Ohio, and Amberlyn Kesler, 20, of West Alexandria, Ohio were transported to Reid Hospital by Tri-Village Rescue and Arcanum Rescue with non-life threatening injuries. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in this crash. This crash is still under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff’s office.

On October 3, 2025 at approximately 8:30 am Darke County Deputies along with Ansonia Rescue, Ansonia Fire, Greenville Township Rescue, Greenville Township Fire, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Greenville Police Department and CareFlight responded to the 8800 block of US Route 127 in reference to a head-on accident involving a Greenville City School bus and a motor vehicle. Preliminary investigation revealed a green 2013 Honda Fit, driven by Amanda Storer (26) of Celina, Ohio was traveling northbound on US Route 127 when she crossed the centerline striking the southbound 2022 Greenville City School bus, driven by Abby Rose (43) of Greenville.  After the impact the School Bus traveled left of the centerline, coming to rest against a guardrail.  The Honda traveled off the right side of the roadway coming to rest against a guardrail. There were eight juvenile occupants on the school bus at the time of the accident.  Six of the children were treated and released at the scene to their parents.  Two of the juvenile passengers were transported to Wayne HealthCare with non-life-threatening injuries for a medical evaluation.  Ms. Rose was transported to Wayne HealthCare with non-life threatening injuries. Amanda Storer was extricated by mechanical means and transported to Miami Valley Hospital by CareFlight, where she is listed in critical condition. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team responded to the scene for further investigation.  Us Route 127 was closed for approximately three hours. Contact: Deputy K. Sullivan 937-548-2020

On August 30, 2025 at approximately 7:12p.m. Darke County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Darke County Accident Reconstruction Team, Darke County Coroner’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Osgood Fire and Rescue, North Star Fire Department, and Ansonia Rescue responded to the intersection of U.S. Route 127 and State Route 705 in reference to a two vehicle accident with injury. Preliminary investigation revealed that a Blue 2006 Ford F-150, driven by Kathleen Forwerck (62), of Celina was traveling West on State Route 705. A Blue 2023 ford F-450, driven by Candace Muir (35), of Waynesfield, Ohio, was traveling North on U.S. Route 127. Ms. Forwerck failed to yield the right of way to Ms. Muir at the posted stop signs, causing the two vehicles to collide. Kathleen Forwerck succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Candace Muir was transported to Coldwater Hospital by EMS to be treated for her injuries. This accident remains under investigation. Sergeant Tyler Young Darke County Sheriff's Office 937-548-2020

On August 30, 2025, Darke County Deputies, along with Union City Fire, Union City Rescue, and Union City Police Department, responded to the 500 block of Converse Road regarding a golf cart injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed that four juveniles were traveling in a golf cart on the roadway when it veered off the right side and overturned. All four occupants were ejected during the crash. CareFlight transported one juvenile to Dayton Children's Hospital, while the other three were treated at the scene and released to their families. Tragically, the juvenile transported to the hospital succumbed to injuries and was pronounced deceased. This incident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff’s Office. Contact: Deputy Lunsford Phone: 937-548-2020

UPDATE: Patrol OVI Checkpoint on State Route 571 PIQUA – The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced today that an OVI checkpoint will be held from 8 pm until 10 pm tonight on State Route 571 in the city of Greenville. The OVI checkpoint, funded by federal grant funds, is planned to deter and intercept impaired drivers and is a partnership between the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Greenville Police Department, and the Darke County Sheriff’s Office. The checkpoint will also be held in conjunction with nearby saturation patrols to aggressively combat alcohol-related injury and fatal crashes. If you plan to consume alcohol, designate a driver or make other travel arrangements before you drink. Don’t let another life be lost for the senseless and selfish act of getting behind the wheel impaired. #DriveSober ————— PIQUA – The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced today that an OVI checkpoint will be held in Darke County tomorrow evening. The OVI checkpoint, funded by federal grant funds, is planned to deter and intercept impaired drivers. “Each year, countless lives are lost on our area roadways due to people making the poor choice of driving after they have been drinking,” Lieutenant Jeremy Allen, Commander of the Piqua Post, said. “State Troopers make on average 25,000 OVI arrests each year in an attempt to combat these dangerous drivers. OVI checkpoints are designed to not only deter impaired driving, but to proactively remove these dangerous drivers from our roadways.” The location of the checkpoint will be announced Friday morning, August 1, 2025.

Update: All 911 phone issues have been resolved. Thank you. ————— Update: 911 phone lines at Darke County are now working. Verizon callers may still be experiencing issues. ————— As of 6:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, the Darke County Sheriff's Office has been notified that Brightspeed is experiencing 911 outages across the State. 911 calls are being transferred to our business lines. If you dial 911 and are met with voice prompts, immediately push "1" to reach Dispatch. Brightspeed is working on the issues, and we will update you when we have additional information.

DARKE COUNTY SHERIFF & DARKE COUNTY ENGINEER JOINT NEWS RELEASE DARKE COUNTY SHERIFF & ENGINEER REPORT STOLEN ROAD SIGNS Darke County Engineer Jim Surber and Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker report that numerous road signs have been stolen from roadways across Darke County over the last five days. Many of the stolen signs include stop signs that were taken overnight, putting the lives of the motoring public at risk and costing tax payers a financial loss. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the thefts. Theft of a highway or street sign is a felony of the fifth degree, subjecting the convicted offender to 6 months to 1 year in prison and fines up to $2,500.00 for each count. The thefts began Saturday evening July 12, 2025 and have continued through this morning July 16, 2025. Darke County residents are encouraged to report any suspicious vehicles or subjects that they may observe as soon as possible to the Darke County Sheriff’s Office. You can notify dispatch anytime day or night at 937-548-2020. Darke County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for these thefts. Anyone with information on these thefts is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 937-548-2020, email tips@darkecountycrimestoppers.com , or report your tip online at darkecountycrimestoppers.com/tips/ . Callers can remain anonymous.

On June 30th, 2025 at approximately 8:10 a.m., Darke County Deputies along with the Darke County Accident Reconstruction Team, Pitsburg Fire, Laura Fire, Arcanum Fire and Rescue, Tri Village Rescue, Greenville Rescue, West Milton - Union Township Squad, Brookville Rescue, Miami Valley Careflight and Miami Valley MICU, were dispatched to the 1200 block of State Route 49, Arcanum Ohio, in reference to a head-on accident involving three vehicles.    Preliminary investigation revealed a silver 2011 Hyundai Genesis, driven by Da'Sika Verdell (27) of Dayton, Ohio was traveling southeast on State Route 49. Ms. Verdell attempted to pass a tractor trailer traveling in the same direction. Ms. Verdell struck a northwest black 2014 Ford F150, driven by James Caldwell (75), of Dayton, head-on. The impact caused Ms. Verdell's vehicle to come to rest in the southbound lane, facing northwest. At that time, a black 2020 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by Michelle Bilbrey (55) of Miamisburg, swerved in an attempt to avoid the accident, however still striking the rear of Ms. Verdell's vehicle. Both Ms. Verdell and her passenger, Simeon Israel (42) of Dayton, were extracted by mechanical means. Both were transported by Arcanum Rescue to Miami Valley for serious injuries. Ms. Verdell succumbed to her injuries at Miami Valley Hospital. Mr. Caldwell was transported by Tri Village Rescue to Miami Valley Hospital for suspected serious injuries. Ms. Bilbrey and her passenger, Heather Mcneely (44) of Kettering, were treated at the scene and released. This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office.