Tecumseh student, grad killed, 3 others injured in crash

BETHEL TWP. — A Tecumseh High School senior and a Tecumseh graduate died and three other people were injured in a two-car crash on Route 235 early Wednesday morning.

Trent Lehman, 18, of Medway, and Ashley Harrison-Freeman, 17, of New Carlisle, were killed in the crash that happened around 4 a.m. on Route 235 just north of U.S. Route 40.

A third Tecumseh student, Tiffany Buffington, 17, was taken to Miami Valley Hospital where she was listed in good condition Wednesday.

Christopher Crawford, 19, was also injured and taken to Miami Valley Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

All four were traveling south on Route 235 in a maroon Chevrolet when the driver lost control of the vehicle and went into the northbound lane, where they were struck by a white Toyota, said Yvonne Thorne of Ohio Highway Patrol.

The driver of that vehicle, Mark Shackford, 54, of Huber Heights, was also taken to Miami Valley Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Lehman was employed by PetSmart in Huber Heights, officials there confirmed.

“He was definitely a very good kid and we’re all going to miss him terribly,” said Tammy Mezger, store manager.

It isn’t clear who was driving the car or which of them were wearing seat belts.

Investigators are looking into whether speed might have been a factor, but do believe road conditions played a role in the accident.

“It’s thought to have contributed to the driver losing control,” said Thorne.

Lehman graduated from Tecumseh High School in 2010 and Harrison-Freeman had been a senior this year, said Superintendant Jim Gay.

Harrison-Freeman worked in the office at the school and was “well-liked,” said Gay.

“Both of them had a lot of friends,” he said.

Counselors will be on hand at the school on Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for students who need help dealing with their grief, said Gay.

“The passing certainly does upset our students,” he said. “Our hearts go out to the parents.”

Route 235 between U.S. Route 40 and New Carlisle was shut down for several hours while investigators worked the scene.

Officials don’t believe that drugs or alcohol were involved and are still trying determine where each person was in the vehicle, said Thorne.

The crash remains under investigation.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.

About the Author