Related: Three Die In Darke County Crash, Including A St.Marys Man

 

ARCANUM (1-16-26) — At approximately 7:25 a.m. today, a Spirit EMS transport bus traveling southbound on State Route 49 between the intersections of Pitsburg–Laura Road and Oakes Road wasinvolved in a collision with a northbound lawncare van that crossed the center line.

At the time of the crash, the Spirit EMS vehicle had three occupants: the driver, a bus aide employed by the Arcanum Local School District, and a 12-year-old student being transported from their home in the TriVillage Local School District to Franklin Monroe Local Schools.

The Spirit EMS driver required mechanical extrication from the vehicle by Pitsburg and Arcanum fire personnel. The bus aide and the student sustained minor injuries and were transported to Wayne HealthCare in Greenville by Arcanum Community Rescue.

The Spirit EMS driver was airlifted from the scene by CareFlightand flown to Miami Valley Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Two other occupants of the lawn care van also died as a result of the crash.

An 18-year-old student driving a vehicle behind the Spirit EMS bus managed to self-extricate from her burning car, escaping serious injury. She was evaluated and treated at the scene and later released.

Brian K. Hathaway, President/CEO of Spirit EMS

“Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone involved in this terrible tragedy. We are devastated by the loss of our teammate and deeply saddened for the other families who are grieving today.”

 

Hathaway added that clergy have been brought to the Spirit EMS station to support employees as they mourn.

 Hathaway added-

“In moments like this, we rely on one another,” he said. “Our team is strong, and we will walk through the loss of our teammate together.”

 

The name of the 63-year-old male Spirit EMS employee is being withheld pending notification of his immediate family.

The crash remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff’s Office. Spirit EMS officials are fully cooperating with deputies throughout the ongoing investigation.