Jefferson Township (8-12-22) – The Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on August 12, 2022 at approximately 1:41 p.m. in Mercer County, Ohio. The crash occurred on State Route 29 in the area of Milepost 17 in Jefferson Township.
Cloyd W. Bergman (61) of Fort Recovery, Ohio was operating a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck while traveling westbound on State Route 29 in the right lane.
Vance E. Shirkey (62) of Mason, Ohio was operating a 2012 Freightliner M2 crash attenuator truck while traveling westbound on State Route 29 in the right lane. Shirkey was operating the crash attenuator truck as part of a safety crew supporting road striping on State Route 29.
The preliminary investigation indicates the pickup truck driven by Bergman failed to merge into the left lane as indicated by directional arrow boards prior to the road striping operation and struck the rear of the crash attenuator truck driven by Shirkey.
Bergman was pronounced deceased at the crash scene. He was wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash. Shirkey was transported to Miami Valley Hospital with serious injuries. It is unknown if he was wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash.
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Saint Marys Police Department, Celina Fire Department, Lehman Dzendzel Funeral Home, and Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers also responded to the crash.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash.
The crash remains under investigation by the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Mercer County Outlook 
I don’t know who was at fault, but that is the worst construction group at closing lanes, etc.! I’m a delivery driver, and drive 29 several times per day. Today they had the left lane closed going to St Mary’s from Celina all day. Made 3 trips and never saw any work in the closed lane. Worst I’ve seen their entire time doing this.
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Same project I counted over 100 knocked over cones. Was way more that’s just where I started counting. Yes lanes closed no workers. Then the curve where there are already so many accidents close to celina wal mart. Was so dark u could hardly tell where the rd was. Wow. Thankfully there are lines now. Total black on a curve with a bad rap already.
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