Monday, January 23rd, 2012
Fort Recovery man dies when vehicle strikes utility pole
By Margie Wuebker
A 22-year-old Fort Recovery man died early today when his car collided with a utility pole west of Burkettsville.
Lucas Staugler, 208 Gwendolyn St., was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash along Mercer-Darke County Line Road, west of Cochran Road.
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office was notified at 5:14 a.m. by Darke County Sheriff's deputies who initially responded to the scene and then determined the accident occurred just north of the Mercer County line.
Sheriff Jeff Grey told The Daily Standard that details are sketchy and the investigation is continuing.
Staugler, the lone occupant in a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, was driving westbound when he lost control for an unknown reason. The car collided with a utility pole and came to rest in a nearby field.
The accident report indicated he was not using a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Mercer County Coroner Dr. Timothy Heinrichs released the body to Brockman & Boeckman Funeral Home in Fort Recovery, where arrangements are pending.
Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers were called to handle traffic control as the road was closed until responders left and the heavily damaged car was removed.
Staugler's death is Mercer County's first traffic fatality of the year.
