On February 22, 2023 at approximately 6:48 P.M. Darke County Deputies along with Greenville Twp. Fire, Greenville Twp. Rescue, Greenville City Fire, and Union City Rescue were dispatched to the intersection of State Route 571 and Wildcat Road in reference to an accident with injury. Preliminary investigation revealed a white 2016 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Jeffery Fullroth, 55, of Rossburg failed to yield the right of way from a stop sign on Wildcat Road traveling into the pathway of a green 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by John Vanata, 54, of Union City that was traveling Northwest on State Route 571. The two vehicles struck in the intersection. Mr. Vanata had to be freed by mechanical means and was transported to Wayne Health Care with minor injuries by Greenville Twp Rescue. Mr. Vanata's passenger Mari Vanata, 37, of Union City was treated by Greenville Twp. Rescue at the scene was transported to Wayne Health Care with minor injuries. Mr. Fullroth was treated at the scene and was transported to Wayne Health Care by Union City Rescue. This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office. Contact: Deputy Wentworth Telephone: 937-548-2020

On December 17, 2022 at approximately 8:39 p.m. Darke County deputies, along with Greenville Fire Department, Greenville Township Rescue, Miami Valley MICU, and Greenville Police Department, were dispatched to U.S. 127 and Children's Home Bradford Road in reference to an accident with injuries involving a semi tractor-trailer and a car. Preliminary investigation revealed that Randy Brunswick (60) of Fort Loramie, Ohio was operating a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse eastbound on Children's Home Bradford Road at U.S. 127. Brunswick failed to yield at the stop sign and traveled into the path of a southbound 2021 International LT625 driven by William Kellam (42) of Spartanburg, South Carolina. After the collision, Brunswick's vehicle traveled across the median and came to rest in the ditch. Brunswick and his passenger, Tena Black (54) of Versailles, Ohio had to be extracted by mechanical means a long with two juvenile passengers. Brunswick was initially transported to Wayne Healthcare by Greenville Township Rescue along with the two juveniles. Brunswick has since been transported to Miami Valley Hospital where his condition is unknown at this time. One of the juveniles was later transported to Dayton Children's Hospital and is in stable condition, the other juvenile was released from Wayne Healthcare. Black was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by the Miami Valley MICU where she is listed as critical condition. Kellam denied medical treatment at the scene of the accident. Alcohol is suspected as a factor in the accident and remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office. Updated information: On January 9, 2023 the Darke County Sheriff's Office was notified through the Coroner's Office that Tena Black, (54) of Versailles, Ohio died this morning at Everheart Hospice Patient Unit in Greenville, OH. Tena was a passenger in the vehicle Brunswick was operating at the time of crash. Brunswick has since been released from the hospital. This crash still remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office. Contact: Sergeant C. Magel Phone: 937-548-2020

On November 29, 2022, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville Police Department, and the Adult Parole Authority, verified addresses of the sex offenders in Darke County. While verification is an ongoing process throughout the year by deputies on patrol, a mass verification is an efficient way to establish sex offender address verification and focus on those subjects that need appropriate follow-up to ensure the safety of our community. There are 93 registered sex offenders in Darke County. All of those offenders’ addresses were checked and 69 were verified yesterday morning. The other 24 offenders were checked, but contact was not made with those offenders. There are a variety of reasons why contact was not made, including the subject was at a place of employment, traveling, refusal to answer the door, and/or absconded. Deputies from the Darke County Sheriff’s Office will follow up and verify the addresses of the remaining offenders. Any offenders found not to be in compliance with the law will be investigated and charges will be presented to the Darke County Prosecutor’s Office for review. More information regarding sex offenders can be found on our webpage, darkecountysheriff.org. Anyone with questions about this project may contact the Darke County Sheriff’s Office at (937) 548-1193 and direct your call to Stacey.

On October 14, 2022 at approximately 10:00 a.m. Darke County Deputies along with Osgood Fire and Rescue, Versailles Rescue and CareFlight responded to 13,532 Versailles-Yorkshire Road on a report of two people ran over by a tractor. Investigation revealed husband and wife, Anthony Grillot 71, and Theresa Grillot 70 of Yorkshire, were both standing beside a tractor in the process of off loading corn from a hopper wagon to a grain auger, when the tractor was accidentally left in gear and ran over the both of them. Mr. and Mrs. Grillot were both taken to Miami Valley Hospital aboard CareFlight for their injuries. Contact: Deputy Joseph 937-548-2020

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of retired Darke County Sheriff’s Office K9 Eric. Retired K9 Deputy Eric was handled by Deputy Jay Pearson. K9 Deputy Eric was certified in drug detection, tracking, article search and was a full time patrol dog. K9 Deputy Eric served the citizens of Darke County for 7 years until his retirement in August of 2021. He spent his retirement in the home of his handler, Deputy Jay Pearson, and his family. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Jay Pearson would like to thank Darke County Veterinary Service, Dr. Gilbert and his staff for the compassionate care they provided Eric throughout his service and in his final days. We would also like to thank Tribute Funeral Home’s Pet Memorial Service, who donated their services in memorializing K9 Eric. Our hearts and prayers are with Deputy Pearson and his family at this difficult time. We will always be grateful for his service.

UPDATE On September 10, 2022 at approximately 6:32 PM Miami Valley Hospital advised Su Chin Umbaugh had succumb to her injuries she sustained in the accident. -------------- On September 10, 2022 at approximately 3:21 PM Darke County Deputies along with Pitsburg Fire department, Gettysburg Fire Department, Arcanum Fire Department, Arcanum Rescue and two CareFlight helicopters were dispatched to intersection of State Route 571 and Hogpath Road in reference to a serious injury accident involving a pick up truck and a motorcycle. Preliminary investigation revealed a red 2006 Chevy pick up pulling a bean head, driven by Marc Myers (57) of Marshall, IN. was traveling northwest on State Route 571 approaching the intersection of Hogpath Road. Myers was slowing down to turn westbound (left) onto Hogpath Road when a 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, driven by Steven Umbaugh (66) of Beavercreek, OH. was attempting to pass the Chevy pick up. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle struck the drivers side rear of the red Chevy pick up truck. Both Umbaugh and his passenger, Su Chin Umbaugh (55) were thrown from the motorcycle. Mr. and Mrs. Umbaugh were both transported to Miami Valley Hospital by the CareFlight Helicopters, their condition is unknown. Mr. Myers and his juvenile passenger were treated and released from the scene. The Darke County Sheriff's Office accident reconstruction team responded to the scene for further investigation. This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office.

UPDATE The identity of the pedestrian is Dylayna Swallow (23) of Greenville. Darke County investigators have evidence to believe a second vehicle was involved in this incident. It is believed a North bound vehicle had struck Ms. Swallow after her initial contact with Mr. Angle's vehicle. The Darke County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information on the second vehicle to contact our agency. -------------------------------------------------------- On September 8, 2022 at approximately 9:33 P.M. Darke County Deputies along with New Madison Fire, Arcanum Rescue, Greenville TWP Rescue, and the Darke County Coroners Office were dispatched to the 4700 block of State Route 49 in reference to an accident involving a pedestrian. Preliminary investigation revealed a black 2005 Volvo S40 driven by Jasper Angle (20) of Arcanum was traveling Southeast on State Route 49 near Jaysville St Johns Road. A pedestrian was attempting to cross the roadway from a private drive and was struck by Mr. Angle. The pedestrian succumbed to their injuries at the scene. Mr. Angle and his juvenile passenger were treated and released at the scene. The Darke County Sheriff's Office accident reconstruction team responded to the scene and assisted in the investigation The identity of the pedestrian is not being released at this time due to family notification. This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County

On August 11, 2022 at approximately 4:36pm Darke County Deputies along with Ansonia Rescue, North Star Fire and CareFlight responded to the intersection of Greenville-St. Mary's Road and Medford Road for a two vehicle injury crash. Preliminary investigation revealed a red 2005 Chevy Cavalier driven by Douglas Winger 58, of Rossburg was traveling westbound on Medford Road and came to a stop at the intersection of Greenville-St. Mary's Road.  Mr. Winger then pulled out into the intersection colliding with a tan 2002 Hyundai Sonata driven by Wanda Brandon 60, of Greenville, causing her vehicle to travel off the left side of the roadway striking a guardrail.  Ms. Brandon was ejected from the vehicle and was taken to Miami Valley Hospital aboard CareFliight. Mr. Winger was uninjured in the crash. This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriffs Office. Contact: Deputy Peters 937-548-2020

Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker reports the two fugitives, Dean M. Baker and Ashlee Fletcher, have been taken into custody at a truck stop near Ocala, Florida at approximately 10:15 PM tonight August 24, 2022. Dean M. Baker, age 35, of Greenville and Ashlee Fletcher, age 37, of Greenville were wanted in connection to the death of Corey Fleming. Dean Baker was arrested on charges of Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third degree. Ashlee Fletcher was arrested on charges of Having Weapons While Under Disability, a felony of the fourth degree. Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker requested the assistance of the Unites States Marshals Service to capture the fugitives, which he believed had fled the State of Ohio. The Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST) was contacted at the Dayton, OH Office and they accepted the case. SOFAST worked with the Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force (FCRFTF) and the Marshals Task Force to find the two subjects and take them into custody. Baker and Fletcher were developed as persons of interest in the homicide investigation of Corey Fleming who had been missing since August 7, 2022. The body of Corey Fleming was discovered by investigators in a shallow grave at a commercial farm in Brown Township, Darke County, Ohio on August 20, 2022. Baker and Fletcher will be held in a Marion County, Florida jail pending extradition back to Ohio. Sheriff Whittaker thanks the US Marshals Service for their quick and effective response in getting these two dangerous criminals into custody.

On August 6, 2022 at approximately 4:13PM Darke County Deputies along with Burkettsville Fire and Ansonia Rescue and CareFlight, responded to the 14,900 block of State Route 118 for an motorcycle crash with injuries. Preliminary investigation revealed a group of motorcycles were traveling Northbound on State Route 118 when the group was slowing down to turn Westbound onto State Route 319, when a White 2019 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe operated by James Schaffner 48, of Delphos, OH. couldn't get slowed down in time and rear-ended a Blue 2019 Harley-Davidson Road Glide operated by John Riggs 63, and passenger both of St. Mary's OH. Mr. Schaffner was ejected from his motorcycle without a helmet and taken to Miami Valley Hospital aboard CareFlight. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time. Mr. Riggs and his passenger were uninjured in the crash. This crash remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office.

On 07/25/2022 at approximately 4:41 p.m. Darke County deputies, along with Ansonia Fire and Ansonia Rescue were dispatched to the intersection of State Route 47 and State Route 49, in reference to a two-vehicle injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2002 Ford F-150, driven by Robert Cooper (27) of Greenville was southbound on State Route 49 and approached the intersection of State Route 49 and State Route 47. Cooper failed to yield the right of way at a stop sign and entered the path of a 2010 Peterbilt Semi, driven by Wyatt King (23) of Greenville, which was traveling eastbound on State Route 47. Both vehicles traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a Darke Rural Electric Pole. Cooper was ejected from his vehicle and was treated by Ansonia Rescue, then transported to Miami Valley Hospital by Careflight. King was treated by Ansonia Rescue at the scene. Darke County Accident Reconstruction Team was dispatched to the scene. Cooper’s condition is unknown at this time. This accident remains under investigation.

On July 24, 2022 12:38 A.M. Darke County Deputies along with Arcanum Rescue, New Madison Fire Department, and the Darke County Coroner were dispatched to the 3400 block of US 127 in reference to a two vehicle head on crash. Preliminary investigation revealed a black 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Charles Spencer, 67, of Arcanum was traveling northbound in the 3400 block of US 127. Mr. Spencer traveled left of center, striking a blue 2018 Chevrolet truck, driven by Douglas Morris, 53, of Arcanum. Mr. Morris was treated at the scene by Arcanum Rescue and transported to Wayne Health Care with minor injuries. Mr. Spencer and his passenger, Audrey Spencer, 65, of Arcanum, succumbed to their injuries at the scene. This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office.