Crashes in Clark County leave one dead, two injured

Multiple crashes were reported over the weekend in Clark County - resulting in one fatality and two individuals being CareFlighted to Miami Valley Hospital.

Tyler Adams, 26, of Springfield, was identified as the victim of the single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred in front of the Springfield Arby’s, 2620 East Main St., Springfield Police Traffic Sgt. Michael Curtis said.

The crash was reportedly witnessed at 12:42 a.m. Saturday by a Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

According to Springfield Police dispatch records, the sheriff’s office reported that the vehicle was traveling at high speed down East Main Street when it crashed into a green utility pole in front of the Arby’s.

Curtis said Adams was driving a black 2019 Ford Fusion, a rental vehicle.

The car crashed hard enough to tear the engine block free of the vehicle, according to records.

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Curtis said that medics knew Adams was in “bad shape” and CareFlight was put on standby. First responders transported Adams to Springfield Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

“Certainly speed was the prevailing factor, but we don’t know anything else and we won’t until we get autopsy reports and toxicology back from that,” Curtis said. “We will have more information later in the week.”

The second crash was reported at 3:33 p.m. Saturday on state Route 4 near Lower Valley Pike by a passerby who found the vehicle.

Raymond Castle, 54, of Springfield was driving north on state Route 4 when he went off the left side of the road, crossing the median and two southbound lanes, a news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

“His vehicle struck the ditch on the north side of the road and rolled over,” the release said. “Mr. Castle was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected from the car.”

According to officials, Castle sustained face and back injuries that were serious, but not life-threatening. He was taken by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital.

According to the release, Castle may have suffered from a medical condition that contributed to the crash.

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A two-vehicle crash occurred a few hours later on Saturday on Dayton Springfield Road near South Tecumseh Road, according to the release.

Nick Brandon, 52, of South Charleston was riding his three-wheeled motorcycle east on Dayton Springfield Road when he rear-ended a vehicle that was stopped and waiting to turn left onto South Tecumseh Road, the release said.

Brandon was ejected from his motorcycle and transported by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital. The release explained that “speed and driver inattention” were contributing circumstances in the crash.

“Mr. Brandon’s motorcycle helmet was found in the trunk of his three-wheeled motorcycle,” the release said.

Individuals in the other vehicle were not injured, according to the release.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Rod Murphy said despite the recent crashes, Clark County is down about 400 crashes as compared to last year. Not having a bad winter and the coronavirus pandemic may be contributing factors, Murphy explained.

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