PRESS RELEASE

On February 18, 2026 at approximately 9:30 a.m. Darke County Deputies along with Ansonia Fire and Rescue responded to the area of US Route 127 and York Road for a two-vehicle injury crash.

Preliminary investigation revealed a gray Buick Enclave driven by Esther Heitkamp (73) of Fort Recovery, was traveling Northbound on US Route 127, when she fell asleep traveling left-of-center, colliding with the tandem trailer tires of a Peterbilt semi. The semi was being driven by Steve Schmitmeyer (53) of Maria Stein. Heitkamp was transported to Mercer Health Hospital for suspected minor injuries, and Schmitmeyer was uninjured.