(1-22-24) Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey reports that his office is investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred January 18, 2024.  Grey advised that Mercer County Central Dispatch received a call at 7:50 PM of a crash that occurred on Fast Rd in the area of Hoenie Rd in Hopewell Township. 

The investigation revealed that a 2001 tan Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 17 year old Andrew J Taylor of Celina, Ohio was traveling westbound on Fast Rd, west of Hoenie Rd, when he went off the right side of the roadway, struck a tree and came to rest after striking a second tree.  Taylor was air lifted from the scene by Lutheran Air and transported to St Rita’s Hospital in Lima.  He was later transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus for further treatment.

The Sheriff’s Office was notified yesterday, January 21, 2024, that Andrew Taylor succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. 

The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team was called to the scene.  Also assisting at the scene were members of the Rockford Fire Department, Celina Fire Department, Celina Squad 2, Lutheran Air and MCERV.