On July 20th, 2022 at approximately 3:15 p.m. Darke County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Arcanum Rescue, Arcanum Fire Department, Greenville Township Rescue, Pitsburg Fire Department, Greenville Fire Department, Tri-Village Rescue, and Care Flight responded to the 3400 block of State Route 49 on an injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 1998 Chevrolet 1500 van, maroon in color, being driven by Mark Snider (43), of Beavercreek, was traveling northwest on State Route 49. Mr. Snider traveled over the center line and into the opposite lane of travel. A 2019 Volvo Tractor-Trailer, red in color, being driven by Abakar Addji (25), of Jersey City, New Jersey, was traveling southeast on State Route 49. Mr. Addji braked and swerved to the left, in an attempt to avoid the collision, at the same time, Mr. Snider over-corrected and traveled into the tractor-trailer. Mr. Snider was pronounced deceased on scene. His front seat passenger, Syncere Snider (11), of Fairborn, was extricated by mechanical means and then transported to Miami Valley Hospital by Care Flight where he succumbed to his injuries. Mr. Addji was transported to Wayne Healthcare by Arcanum Rescue where he was treated and released. The Darke County Coroner's Office, Darke County Accident Reconstruction Team, and Motor Carrier Enforcement also responded to the scene. This accident remains under investigation.

On July 2, 2022 at approximately 11:50 PM Darke County Deputies along with Gettysburg Rescue, Gettysburg Fire, Greenville Township Rescue and CareFlight were dispatched to the 6500 block of US Route 36 East in reference to single motorcycle accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a blue 2006 Harley Davidson motorcycle, driven by William D. Moore, 31 of Fletcher, Ohio was traveling westbound in the 6500 block of US Route 36 East when he lost control in a curve. Moore and his passenger, Mackenzie L. Smith, 23 of Troy, Ohio traveled across the centerline and off the left side of the roadway and through a ditch before striking a culvert. Moore and Smith were ejected from the motorcycle and came to rest in the ditch. William D. Moore was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by CareFlight where he is listed in stable condition. Mackenzie L. Smith succumb to her injuries at the accident scene and was pronounced deceased. Moore and Smith were not wearing helmets at the time of the accident. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team and the Darke County Coroner’s Office also responded to the scene for further investigation. This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 29, 2022 at approximately 7:15 PM Darke County Deputies along with Arcanum Rescue, Arcanum Fire, and Careflight were dispatched to the intersection of Arcanum Ithaca Road and Grubbs Rex Road in reference to an accident involving a motorcycle striking a car. Preliminary investigation revealed a Gray 2015 Honda Civic driven by James Warner, 30, of West Milton, was traveling west on Grubbs Rex Road at the intersection of Arcanum Ithaca. Mr. Warner failed to yield the right of way from a stop sign, traveling into the path of a red 1995 Harley Davidson Softail driven by Graham Guttadore, 32, of Arcanum that was traveling south on Arcanum Ithaca Road. The two vehicles struck in the intersection. Mr. Guttadore and his passenger Lauren Mowen, 33, of Eaton, were ejected from the Motorcycle. Mr. Guttadore and Ms. Mowen were treated at the scene by Arcanum Rescue and transported to Miami Valley by Careflight. Mr. Warner and a juvenile passenger were treated by Arcanum Rescue and released at the scene. Mr. Guttadore and Ms. Mowen did not have helmets on at the time of the accident. The Darke County Sheriff's Office Accident reconstruction team responded to the scene and assisted with the investigation. This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office. Contact: Deputy Wood Telephone: 937-548-2020

On June 24, 2022 at approximately 12:56AM Darke County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Greenville City Fire, Greenville Township Fire, and Greenville Township rescue responded to 3093 State Route 571 West in reference to an injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 1994 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Christopher Kunkel (18), of Greenville, was traveling West on State Route 571 near McMecham road. Mr. Kunkel failed to control his vehicle and traveled left of center. Mr. Kunkel then drove off the roadway through a ditch, striking the residence of 3093 State Route 571. The homeowner was not injured as a result of this accident. Mr. Kunkel and his passenger were transported to Wayne Hospital to be evaluated for non-life threatening injuries.

** UPDATED ** On June 9, 2022 the Darke County Sheriff’s Office was notified through the Coroner’s Office that Charles Zimmer, age 34 of Greenville, Ohio died this morning of his injuries at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, OH. Charles Zimmer was an occupant of the helicopter crash that occurred on June 7th in Darke County. He is the second fatality from this crash. -------------------- On June 7, 2022 at approximately 9:40 AM the Darke County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a helicopter crash in the driveway of 5030 Hogpath Road south of Greenville, Ohio. The caller reported occupants were still in the helicopter and it was on fire. Darke County Deputies, Arcanum Rescue, New Madison Fire Department, Greenville City Fire Department and Greenville Township Fire/EMS units responded. Darke County Deputies arrived on the scene to find two occupants in a two seater helicopter that was crashed and on fire. Deputies, an off duty Greenville Firefighter and bystanders worked to free one of the trapped occupants from the burning wreckage while others attempted to put the fire out until other responders could arrive. Deputies were able to free the occupant from the wreckage and pull him to safety prior to Fire/EMS arrival. This occupant is identified as Charles Zimmer, age 34 and he was treated by EMS on the scene and transported by Careflight to Miami Valley Hospital with life threatening injuries. Fire personnel arrived on the scene and extinguished the burning helicopter. A second occupant of the helicopter is identified as Krista Zimmer, age 35 who was pronounced dead at the scene. The Zimmer’s are married and reside at the address where the crash occurred. Darke County Coroner, Dr. Kathman, and his Chief Investigator responded to the scene. The Darke County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team also responded to document the crash scene. The FAA and NTSB were notified. FAA personnel arrived on scene and NTSB investigators are expected to arrive tomorrow morning. Deputies will remain on the scene pending the arrival of NTSB investigative personnel. It is unknown at this time if the helicopter was attempting a landing or taking off at the time of the crash. The aircraft is registered to Charles Zimmer of the Hogpath Road address. The Zimmers have been known to land and take off from their residence which is surrounded by farm ground in a rural area of Darke County. This crash remains under investigation. Contact: Sheriff Mark Whittaker Phone: 937-548-2020

On May 7, 2022 at 7:22 PM Darke County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Arcanum Rescue, Greenville Rescue, Arcanum Fire Department, and Careflight responded to the intersection of State Route 49 and Pitsburg Laura Road on an injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed a 2007 Volvo station wagon driven by, Kendra Heise (19), of Laura, was stopped on Pitsburg Laura Road at State Route 49. Ms. Heise failed to yield the right of way after a clearly marked stop sign, traveling into the path of a 2012 Jeep driven by, Russel McQueen (59) of Loveland, Ohio. Mr. McQueen’s vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway where it overturned and came to rest in the ditch. Ms. Heise vehicle remained on the roadway. Ms. Heise was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by CareFlight where she was treated and released. Mr. McQueen and his passenger, Rebecca McQueen (55) were both transported to Wayne Healthcare where they were treated and released. This accident remains under investigation.

On May 7, 2022 at 12:56 p.m. Darke County Sheriff Deputies along with Greenville Rescue, Greenville City Fire Department and Greenville Township Fire Department responded to the intersection of State Route 49 and US Route 127 on an injury accident. Preliminary information revealed that a blue 2015 Nissan Rogue driven by Christine Hinch (49), of Arcanum, Ohio, was traveling northwest on State Route 49 and had stopped to turn south onto U.S. Route 127. Ms. Hinch’s vehicle was struck from the rear by a green 2004 Jeep Wrangler driven by Robert Nave (23), of New Paris, Ohio, as it also traveled northwest on State Route 49. Mr. Nave refused treatment on the scene. Ms. Hinch was transported to Wayne Healthcare by Greenville Rescue. Three other occupants in Ms. Hinch’s vehicle, Daniel Netherly (75), Sharon Netherly (71), both of Arcanum, Ohio, and Taylor Denlinger (28), of Dayton, Ohio, were also transported to Wayne Hospital by Greenville Rescue for non-life threatening injuries. Mr. Nave was issued a citation for failing to maintain assured clear distance ahead.

Starting in July the Darke County Sheriff’s Office will no longer be conducting sales of real estate for foreclosures in person at the Darke County Commissioners building. Pursuant to House Bill 390, RealAuction has been contracted with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services for these sales to be on-line with the “Official Public Sheriff’s Sale Website”. The process and procedures under which these sales will be completed are detailed at RealAuction’s website www.realauction.com. Prospective bidders should familiarize themselves with this new process. Training classes are offered on a monthly basis and these webinar classes generally last 90 minutes and specifically cover the use of the software. Attendance is by registration only at https://www.realauction.com/training. For additional information or questions regarding training, please contact the RealAuction Customer Service Center at (954) 734-7401 or toll free at (877) 361-7325 Changes do not affect tax sales. These sales will continue to be conducted at the Darke County Commissioners Building until further notice.

On April 19, 2022 at 1:24 p.m. Darke County Sheriff Deputies along with Versailles Fire Department and Ansonia Rescue Squad were dispatched to the 7300 block of State Route 47 on an injury accident. Preliminary information revealed that a white 2017 Ram truck driven by David Garke (62), of Coldwater, Ohio, was eastbound on State Route 47. Mr. Garke’s vehicle went left of center striking a white 2016 Freightliner semi-truck that was traveling westbound on State Route 47. The semi-truck was driven by William Ditchley (61), of Indianapolis, Indiana. Mr. Garke was pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Ditchley was taken to Wayne Hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. Darke County Coroner’s Office and Darke County Sheriff’s Office accident reconstruction team were on scene for this traffic accident. Ohio Department of Transportation, Darke County Emergency Management and Ohio State Patrol Motor Carrier Enforcement also provided assistance on the scene of the accident. This case will remain under investigation. Contact: Deputy Jackie Barton Phone: (937) 548-2020

On April 14th, 2022 at approximately 12:29 p.m. Darke County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Greenville Township Rescue, Greenville Township Fire Department, the City of Greenville Fire Department, and Greenville Police Department responded to the 5400 block of State Route 121 on an injury accident. Preliminary investigation revealed that a white 1993 United States Postal Service mail delivery vehicle, being driven by Ranee Richards (54), of Greenville, was making a left-hand turn out of a private driveway on State Route 121 when she failed to yield the right of way to a southbound black 2019 Chevy Colorado, driven by Patrick Fox (66), of Huber Heights. Mr. Cox struck the front of the mail truck then over-turned multiple times before coming to a rest on it's side. Mr. Fox and his front seat passenger, Cherie Fox (63), of Huber Heights, were both extricated from their vehicle by mechanical means and then transported to Wayne Hospital by Greenville Township Rescue for suspected minor injuries. A juvenile passenger seated in the rear was checked on scene by Greenville Township Rescue and was uninjured. Ms. Richards was also treated on scene by Greenville Township Rescue and refused transport. This accident remains under investigation. Contact: Deputy Jackie Barton Phone: 937-548-2020

On April 6, 2022 at approximately 9:29 p.m. Darke County Deputies, along with Darke County Coroners Office, Greenville Township Fire and Rescue and Greenville City Fire, responded to the intersection of State Route 49 and Children's Home-Bradford Road for a reported serious crash involving a motorcycle. Preliminary investigation revealed a gray 2005 Chevy Impala driven by Gregory McEldowney 48, of Ft. Recovery, Ohio was traveling southbound on State Route 49 and attempted to make a left turn onto Children's Home-Bradford Road when he struck head-on into a red 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob motorcycle operated by Christopher Hughes of Vernal, Utah. Mr. Hughes was ejected from the motorcycle while wearing a helmet and was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. McEldowney was transported to Wayne HealthCare for possible injuries. This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff's Office. Contact: Deputy Crumley 937-548-2020

Join us for the 58th Annual Darke County Sheriff’s Patrol Home & Sports Expo! The expo kicks off April 1st at 4pm and extends all weekend. This event is held at the Darke County Fairgrounds. Money raised during the event supports the Sheriff’s Patrol as they provide for their own uniforms, equipment, cruisers, fuel and maintenance for their vehicles at no cost to tax payers. For further details about the Expo, please visit their Facebook page, DarkeCountySheriffsHomeShow.