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by ZeakiaJordan&Jeff Schrock
DARKE COUNTY, Ohio (WKEF) — Three people are dead after a multi-vehicle accident on a busy Darke County highway on Friday, Jan. 16.
Crews were called to the 2400 block of State Route 49 near the intersections of Pitsburg-Laura and Oakes Roads after receiving requests for a multi-vehicle accident with injuries.
Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker said in those initial 911 calls, a fire was involved with the crash, leading deputies, medics, and firefighters to be sent to the scene.
When they arrived, Whittaker said emergency responders found that a full size cargo van pulling a trailer and a car caught on fire.
A preliminary investigation revealed the van was traveling north on SR49 with two male occupants when it crossed the centerline, and struck a southbound 2023 Chevrolet Spirit Medical transport bus being driven by Chris Bemis, 63, of St. Mary's. The bus contained one juvenile passenger and an aid, identified as Bonnie Behee, 62, of New Madison.
After striking the bus the cargo van continued north hitting a 2013 Dodge sedan being driven by Kenadie Hensley, 18, of Arcanum. The cargo van and sedan both caught fire and Hensley was able to immediately escape her vehicle. The two male occupants in the van died at the scene.
Behee and a juvenile passenger in the transport bus were removed, treated, and transported to Wayne Healthcare by EMS with non-life threatening injuries. Bemis was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by CareFlight where he died from his injuries. Hensley was treated at the scene by EMS and released.
"I've been on many of these in my 30 years in law enforcement, but I still struggle. I haven't really necessarily walked a mile in their shoes, and I can't possibly imagine the tragedy and broken hearts that are happening here in our community today," said Whittaker.
President and CEO of Spirit EMS Brian Hathaway released a statement saying:
State Route 49 was closed for approximately five hours during the investigation.
Arcanum Fire, Arcanum Rescue, Pitsburg Fire, Darke County Sheriff’s deputies and Arcanum Police Department responded to the scene. City of Greenville Fire Department, Greenville Township EMS and CareFlight were also called to the scene.
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PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
DARKE COUNTY, Ohio (WKEF) — A medical helicopter has been called to respond to a crash in Darke County on Friday morning.
A dispatcher with the Darke County Sheriff's Office said deputies, medics, and fire crews were sent to the 2300 block of State Route 49 around 7:20 a.m. on reports of a multi-vehicle accident.
The dispatcher confirmed that Careflight was called to the scene, but the number of people injured and their condition are unknown at this time.
As a result of the crash, State Route 49 was closed near the Oakes Road intersection in both directions.
Dayton 24/7 Now crews at the scene said that it seems that three vehicles were involved. They also reported that a Spirit emergency vehicle was involved in the crash, and one of the vehicles caught fire as a result of the collision.
The crash happened just down the street from Franklin Monroe High School.
We have crews heading to the scene to learn more. Check back for updates.
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