Wreck: 1 man killed, 1 hurt

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - A New Bremen man was killed and a Maria Stein man was hospitalized Saturday after an accident involving two motorcycles and a pickup truck near the Mercer-Auglaize county line.

Wapakoneta State Highway Patrol troopers are investigating the deadly crash on State Route 219 near the county line.

About 9:49 p.m., they responded to a call about a three-vehicle crash. Jason Frey, 23, New Bremem, was driving a 2009 Harley-Davidson and Andrew Bohman, 25, was driving another 2009 Harley-Davidson behind Frey, according to a patrol news release.   

Bohman's motorcycle reportedly struck the rear of Frey's, ejecting both riders from their vehicles. Frey's motorcycle fell to its side on the roadway, and Bohman's continued rolling eastbound, striking a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Douglas Miller, 52, Piqua. All three drivers were reportedly traveling eastbound.

Frey was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of injuries suffered in the crash, the release stated. His body was transported to Hogenkamp Funeral Home. Boh-
man was transported to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, and then flown to Lima Memorial Hospital. Miller was not injured and later drove his vehicle from the scene.

Neither motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, according to the release. Miller was reportedly wearing a seatbelt. Alcohol use is reportedly being investigated as a contributing circumstance.

Troopers were assisted on the scene by Montezuma and St. Marys Township Fire and Rescue, Mercer County and Coldwater Emergency Medical Services, Auglaize County Community Emergency Response Team, Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers, Highway Patrol aviation and crash reconstruction units, the Auglaize and Mercer sheriff's offices and Hogenkamp Funeral Home.

Three previous traffic fatalities in each Mercer and Auglaize County have occurred this year, according to patrol information.