Driver in fatal Springfield crash involving trees has been ID’d

The driver of a pick-up truck was transported by CareFlight after colliding with a tree in Snyder Park Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. The driver had to be rescued from his truck by the Springfield Fire Division. Snyder Park Drive was closed west of Bechtle Avenue while the accident was cleaned up. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

The driver of a pick-up truck was transported by CareFlight after colliding with a tree in Snyder Park Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. The driver had to be rescued from his truck by the Springfield Fire Division. Snyder Park Drive was closed west of Bechtle Avenue while the accident was cleaned up. BILL LACKEY/STAFF
News
By Jessica Orozco
Nov 15, 2023
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Police released new details on a fatal crash in which a man driving a pickup truck crashed into two trees on Wednesday.

According to a crash report, James Lavender, 56, was driving a white Dodge pickup truck west of Snyder Park drive and west of North Bechtle Avenue when he drove to the right off the road, striking a tree. He got back onto the road then drove off the road to the right again, hitting a second tree head on.

The crash happened about 3 p.m. on Snyder Park Drive west of Bechtle Avenue. Snyder Park Drive was closed while paramedics worked to free the driver, who was pinned inside his truck.

Lavender was transported to Mercy Health - Springfield, where he died, according to the crash report.

According to the report, before the crash, Lavender was going around a curve in the road.

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About the Author

Jessica Orozco covers crime, courts, government and more in Clark County for the Springfield-News Sun. She previously covered crime and courts for The Lima News, and before that, Orozco interned at The Columbus Dispatch on the metro desk. Orozco has a bachelor of arts in journalism from Ohio State University, from where she graduated in May 2022.