Rockford man killed in crash

A 25-year-old Rockford man was killed early Sunday morning when the 2002 Jeep Liberty in which he was riding crashed along U.S. 33, southeast of Rockford.

Justin M. Hamrick, 605 S. Main St., was pronounced dead at the scene of the 3:31 a.m. crash. His death marks the third traffic fatality in the county this year.

The Jeep was traveling westbound on U.S. 33, west of Lombard Road, when it drove off the north side of the pavement for an unknown reason, according to Mercer County Sheriff's Office reports. The vehicle traveled through a side ditch and struck a tree. It then rotated and struck a second tree before coming to a stop and bursting into flames.

Hamrick was ejected upon impact. First responders found Eddy P. Blossom, 28, 109 N. Franklin St., Rockford, outside the Jeep.

Blossom was transported by ambulance to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys and later transported by CareFlight helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. His condition was not available at press time.

The accident remains under investigation until authorities have an opportunity to speak with Blossom. They have not determined who was driving the Jeep registered to Rhonda Hunt of Willshire.

The heavily damaged vehicle was transported from the scene.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by Rockford Fire Department, the Rockford unit of Mercer County Emergency Medical Services and the Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers.

Hamrick was a student at Wright State University-Lake Campus near Celina.

"Justin was originally looking at elementary education when he started two years ago," his mother, Susan Hamrick, said. "But he changed to another field."

The 2006 Parkway High School graduate played basketball for the Panthers.

"He started playing basketball as a little boy and he really loved the sport," his mother said. "He was a good kid and we all loved him."

Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford is handling arrangements.