Franklin Township – A tragic accident on Bowman Street Road at Amoy West Road is under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Mansfield Post. The fatal crash involved a 2021 Jeep Wrangler and a 1986 Pontiac Fiero.
The incident occurred on July 9, 2024, at approximately 3:40 P.M. Joseph Crose, 73, of Mansfield, was driving the Pontiac Fiero eastbound on Amoy West Road when he failed to yield the right-of-way at a stop sign. His vehicle was struck by a Jeep Wrangler driven by 18-year-old Mary Studer, also of Mansfield, who was traveling southeast on Bowman Street Road.
Following the collision, the Pontiac veered off the right side of the road.
Mr. Crose was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Mansfield Post received support from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin Township Fire & EMS, Weller Township Fire & EMS, the Richland County Coroner, and Terry’s Towing.
TOWNSHIP OF FLORENCE – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a two-vehicle injury crash that occurred on July 9, 2024, at approximately 1:45 P.M. on State Route 113 near Harrison Road in the Township of Florence, Erie County.
Calvin Burnworth, 73, of Wakeman, Ohio, was driving a 1996 Mercury Sable eastbound on State Route 113. Burnworth sustained serious injuries in the crash and was airlifted from the scene by Cleveland Metro Life Flight to Cleveland Metro Hospital. He was wearing his seat belt at the time of the accident.
Patrick Wetzel, 42, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, was operating a 2016 Mack CXU. Wetzel was reversing into a farmer’s access while facing eastbound. He did not suffer any injuries and was also wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.
The incident occurred as Burnworth, traveling eastbound, failed to maintain an assured clear distance and collided with Wetzel’s trailer as Wetzel was backing into the field.
Authorities do not believe alcohol or drug use was a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.
Assistance at the scene was provided by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Florence Township Fire/EMS, L&M Towing, and Cleveland Metro Life Flight.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on July 8, 2024, at approximately 5:30 AM, on Gooding Road at the intersection of Bethlehem Road, in Marion County.
The crash involved a 1995 Kawasaki Vulcan 750, driven by Robert Daso, age 48, of Marion, Ohio. The other vehicle involved was a 2012 Honda Civic, driven by Coulter Deboer, age 20, of Richwood, Ohio.
The preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Daso was traveling southbound on Gooding Road. Mr. Deboer was traveling eastbound on Bethlehem Road. Mr. Deboer failed to yield at the posted stop sign at the intersection, and was struck on the driver’s side of his vehicle by Mr. Daso. Mr. Deboer’s vehicle traveled off the southeast corner of the intersection before coming to final rest.
Mr. Daso was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Marion County Coroner, Dr. Timothy Garner. Mr. Deboer was transported from the scene by Fort Morrow EMS to Marion General Hospital for possible injuries and was later released. Mr. Daso was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Fort Morrow Fire and EMS, Pleasant Township Fire and EMS, and Ed’s 24 Hour Towing.
Vermillion Township – In the early hours of Monday, July 8, 2024, a serious crash involving a 2024 Mack semi-truck and trailer occurred on US 30 near State Route 60. At approximately 2:58 AM, the eastbound semi veered off the roadway to the left and overturned in the median.
The semi-truck was transporting a load of milk at the time of the accident. Details regarding the driver’s condition and additional information will be provided as they become available.
Due to the accident, US 30 remains closed while the scene is being cleared. OHP anticipated reopening US 30 eastbound at State Route 60 before 7:00 AM.
Ashland Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol have confirmed that drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash.
Responding to the incident were the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Hayesville Fire Department & EMS, Jeromesville Fire Department & EMS, and Aber’s Towing and Crane
Lack of safety belt usage prevalent in majority of holiday traffic fatalities
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 16 people lost their lives in 15 traffic crashes during the July Fourth reporting period, which began Wednesday, July 3 at midnight and ended Sunday, July 7 at 11:59 p.m.
In nine of the fatalities in which safety belts were available, seven were unbelted (78%). Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation; however, troopers continued to have zero tolerance during the holiday reporting period when motorists were stopped for other violations and were found not wearing their safety belt. Throughout the holiday reporting period, troopers issued nearly 3,000 safety belt and child safety seat citations.
Troopers also made 438 arrests for impaired driving and 72 for drug-related charges. The Patrol responded to 648 crashes and made 34,209 traffic contacts in total. Additionally, 1,368 citations were issued for distracted driving. Troopers also provided assistance to 2,449 motorists.
COLUMBUS, OH – State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-City of Ashland) presented a resolution from the Ohio House Representatives to the Ashland High School Boys Bowling Team, during a recognition ceremony on the House floor. The representative invited the team to recognize their national championship win earlier this summer.
“We are so proud of our young men and their accomplishments representing our community, Ashland city, and the state of Ohio,” said Miller. “What many people may have thought was impossible, they made possible. They never gave up and worked together as a team and pushed each other to be the best versions of themselves.”
The Ashland Arrows defeated Centerville 603-577 to win the United States High School Bowling National Championship in a field of 51 teams from 25 states, including 11 from Ohio. The national title wasn’t the team’s only success this year. They also placed third at the Division I OHSAA Bowling Tournament in March. Another very impressive accomplishment for the young team made up of just two juniors and five sophomores.Miller invited members of the Ashland High School Boys Bowling Team and their families to tour the Statehouse grounds and be recognized during the House session.
To view the resolution presentation, please watch here.
To view the point of personal privilege during House Session, please watch here.
COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be highly visible and cracking down on impaired drivers during the Fourth of July holiday reporting period, which begins at midnight on Wednesday, July 3 and will run through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7.
The Patrol’s zero-tolerance policy is part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign aimed at removing impaired drivers from the roadways. Many Fourth of July celebrations involve alcohol, which increases the possibility of impaired driving. Therefore, the Patrol urges motorists to buckle up, drive safely and follow all traffic laws.
“Fourth of July celebrations are a hallmark of summer in Ohio, and I urge everyone to celebrate responsibly to ensure a safe holiday for all,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
During last year’s Fourth of July reporting period, from Monday, July 3 through Tuesday, July 4, a total of 10 fatal crashes killed 12 people; of those, nine crashes and 11 fatalities involved alcohol and/or drugs. Also, five of the fatalities involved unbelted victims who had safety belts available at the time of the crash. Last year’s Fourth of July reporting period included the fatalities of four motorcyclists, two pedestrians and one bicyclist. Ohio state troopers made 138 impaired driving arrests during the reporting period.
“For the Ohio State Highway Patrol, ensuring the safety of those who travel Ohio roads during the Fourth of July holiday, and every day, is a top priority,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Impaired driving is a significant contributor to preventable crashes and tragedies, and drug-impaired driving has continued to increase on Ohio’s roadways. Addressing this issue involves dedicated efforts by our troopers to increase safety on our roadways.”
When it comes to impaired driving, as Colonel Jones noted, the issue is not exclusive to alcohol impairment. In fact, drug impaired driving has continued to increase on Ohio’s roads. While overall fatal crashes went down 3% from 2022 to 2023, drug-impaired driving in fatal crashes increased 4%. Last year, troopers made 3,319 drug-impaired driving arrests. This included 739 marijuana impaired arrests, 1,865 drug-impaired driving arrests for a drug other than marijuana and 715 drug-impaired driving arrests in which the driver had a combination of marijuana and another drug in their system.
Motorists are encouraged to designate a sober driver and safely call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.
Courageous Patriots in Petticoats of the American Revolution
July 4th, 1776 Celebration
By Kenneth Hammontree
“Even in their dresses, the females seem to bid us defiance,” wrote a British soldier, as the American Revolution dragged on into the summer of 1782. “They take care to have on their breasts and even on their shoes something that resembles their flag of thirteen stripes.” A British soldier told Lord Cornwallis that he believed, if they would have destroyed all the men in North America, “we should have enough to do to conquer the women.”
These discouraged Englishmen had discovered the American Women, a female of the species as exceptional as the notion that citizens had the right and the ability to govern themselves without the benefit of royalty.
Schooled in a vast untamed wilderness of hardships and hazards, the women of Colonial America were conditioned to independence and initiative. Up at dawn, growing and preparing their own food, spinning and making their own clothing, and nursing their sick with medicines from their herb gardens and the forest apothecaries. Colonial women’s work was never done.
In 1774 fifty-0ne strong-minded ladies of Edenton, North Carolina, sent London a signed resolution renouncing all taxed tea. Other patriots in petticoats had set up tax defying groups. Many called themselves “Daughters of Liberty,” a gentler version of the often rough and ruthless “Son of Liberty.”
After the war broke out, the patriot women stood by their men. As the Revolution spread across the thirteen colonies, women of all classes, from work-worn frontier wives to mistresses of the great plantations, flung themselves into the revolution.
Here are just a few of these Patriots in Petticoats that assisted in winning the American Revolution:
Elizabeth Hager of Boston was also known as “Handy Betty the Blacksmith,” who was noted for repairing Rebel muskets and other weapons including British cannons. Her twelve children assisted their mother in winning the war.
Easter Reed of Philadelphia was the wife of Pennsylvania President Joseph Reed. She led a group of women alongside of Sarah Franklin, daughter of Benjamin Franklin, who raised enough money to make 2,500 shirts for Washington soldiers, and other items of clothing.
Abigail Adams of Boston was the wife of John Adams, who was one of the most outspoken of all the founding fathers. Abigail proved a potent weapon in the struggle for the freedom from England, by her many writings and articles for the American struggle, as well as keeping her husband abreast of events in British held Boston.
Mary Ludwig Hays of New Jersey, better known as Molly Pitcher In the history of battle, she became a camp follower of Washington’s army. During the intense heat of battles, she, along with other camp followers, would go from cannon to cannon carrying pitchers of water to the parched soldiers. Water was also needed to cool and clean the hot barrels of cannons between shots using a ramrod.
At the battle of Monmouth in 1778, Molly Pitcher was carrying water to soldiers, while her husband manned one of the cannons. When her husband collapsed from heat stroke, Mary took his place swabbing and loading the cannon. Hearing of her courage, General Washington commended Mary Hays, issuing her a warrant as a non-commissioned officer.
Phillis Wheatley of Boston who was once a slave, used her literary talents to criticize colonial tyranny. Taken from her home in Africa as a child, she was sold in 1761 to a benevolent Boston family who taught her to read and write and schooled her in the classics. Eventually the Wheatley family give Phillis her freedom and sent her to England for a higher education.
During her lifetime Phillis had the wonderful experience of meeting men such as John Paul Jones, Benjamin Franklin, George Whitefield and George Washington. On October 26th, 1775, she wrote to Washington, telling him of her support for the Revolution and enclosed a poem as a tribute praising Washington. He enjoyed her work so well that he invited her to his headquarters at Princeton, spending time talking and sharing his thoughts on the Revolution.
Agent 355 is the unknown woman, who was part of the little-known top-secret group called the Culper Spy Ring. Washington relied on these rings for important information on the British movements. Her name and fate have been lost to time and history.
We do know that she was captured and might have escaped imprisonment and gone on to live a long and happy life. Or she might have died somewhere in the British diseased-infested POW ships in New York harbor. We will never know.
Behind these women in the shadows, stand all those other Patriots in Petticoats, the nameless Founding Mothers, without whom none of the Revolution would have been possible.
The Delaware Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on July 2, 2024 at approximately 11:17 P.M. on US-36 at Africa Road in Berlin Township.
Justin Neff, age 35, of Delaware Ohio was operating a red 2009 Volvo dump truck westbound on US-36. Derrick Price, age 45, of Columbus Ohio, along with Timothy Gibson, age 50. Of Columbus Ohio were occupants in a green 2005 GMC Sierra pickup truck.
The GMC Sierra failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the side of the Volvo dump truck. It is undetermined which occupant was the driver due to both occupants being ejected from the vehicle.
Mr. Price and Mr. Gibson were both pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Neff was transported with non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash remains under investigation, it is unknown if impairment and distraction were factors in this crash. Safety belts were not worn by the deceased.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, and Berlin Township Fire and EMS.
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TOWNSHIP OF FLORENCE – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a two-vehicle injury crash that occurred on July 9, 2024, at approximately 1:45 P.M. on State Route 113 near Harrison Road in the Township of Florence, Erie County.
Joe Lyons •
July 9, 2024
Franklin Township – A tragic accident on Bowman Street Road at Amoy West Road is under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Mansfield Post. The fatal crash involved a 2021 Jeep Wrangler and a 1986 Pontiac Fiero.
