2 die in separate crashes

DUBLIN TOWNSHIP - Two people were killed in separate traffic accidents Monday on U.S. 127 that occurred within seven hours of each other.

The first accident occurred at approximately 2:10 a.m. near milepost 22 in Dublin Township, according to a news release from the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Ned L. Hileman, 78, Rockford, was operating a GMC Canyon pickup truck northbound on U.S. 127. Tyler A. Wellman, 32, Celina, was operating a semi-trailer while traveling south.

The preliminary investigation of the crash reportedly indicated Hileman drove left of center and his pickup truck struck the semi-trailer.

Hileman was pronounced dead at the scene, and was reportedly not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash. Wellman was not injured, and was wearing a safety belt. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash.

The Mercer County Sheriff's Office, Mercer County Emergency Medical Service and Rockford Fire Department also responded to the crash.

Hours later at 8:48 a.m., a three-vehicle crash that resulted in another fatality and two drivers suffering serious injuries occurred on U.S. 127 south of Shindeldecker Road.

According to information from the Wapakoneta Post, Joseph M. McCavitt, 38, Elkhart, Indiana, was operating a Ford Explorer southbound on U.S. 127 with Amber J. McCavitt, 39, in the passenger seat and three juveniles in the back.

Billy K. Bowman, 62, Vandalia, was driving northbound in a Volvo commercial tractor-trailer and Jared S. Powers, 22, Miamisburg, was northbound behind Bowman in a Chevrolet Express van.

The preliminary investigation reportedly shows that Joseph McCavitt drove left of center and his Ford Explorer struck the trailer Bowman was hauling. The McCavitts' vehicle then struck Powers' van head on.

Amber McCavitt was pronounced dead at the scene.

Joseph McCavitt sustained serious injuries and was transported by Lutheran Air to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Powers also sustained serious injuries and was transported to St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.

The three juveniles in the back of the McCavitts' vehicle were transported to Van Wert Health Hospital in Van Wert with non-life threatening injuries.

Boman reportedly was uninjured.

Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the crash, and next of kin had been notified, according to a news release. The MCSO; Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers; Rockford, Mendon and Ohio City fire departments; Mercer County, Ohio City and Van Wert EMS; and Lakeshore Towing and Nelson's Towing all assisted at the scene.

Both crashes remain under investigation by the Wapakoneta Post of the OSHP.

The Ohio Department of Transportation also sent out a reminder Monday for travelers to drive safe during the Thanksgiving holiday, which it said is one of the busiest travel times of the year. It advised travelers to arrive early, buckle up and drive sober to and from their holiday destinations.