WAYNE LAKES — A three-vehicle crash turned fatal Wednesday morning in the 3500 block of State Route 121 near Wayne Lakes, as an Arcanum man was reported dead at the scene.
At 8:45 a.m. Darke County 911 received a report of the crash. Darke County Deputies, along with New Madison Fire and Tri-Village Rescue were dispatched to the scene. Mutual aid was also requested from Liberty Township Fire, Greenville Township Rescue, Arcanum Rescue and LifeLine Air Ambulance service out of Richmond, Indiana.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer, driven by Robyn Byrd, 34, of Greenville, was northbound on State Route 121 and had driven left of center, striking a 2015 Chevy Trax , driven by Larry Dowler, 76, of Arcanum, head on. Dowler’s vehicle was then struck by a 2008 Dodge Nitro, driven by Kassandra Duplessis, 26, of Greenville, which was following Dowler’s vehicle southbound.
Byrd was trapped in her vehicle and was extricated by New Madison Fire Department and Tri-Village Rescue. Byrd was then transported by LifeLine to Miami Valley Hospital.
Dowler succumbed to his injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Duplessis had two passengers in her vehicle, Beckam Poling, 47, of Greenville, and Duplessis’ 4-year- old daughter. Duplessis and her daughter were transported by Arcanum Rescue to Wayne HealthCare. Poling was transported by Greenville Township Rescue to Wayne HealthCare.
The Darke County Accident reconstruction team was called to the scene, along with the Darke County Coroner’s Office.
This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff’s Office and the Darke County Coroner’s Office. The condition of all parties involved is not known at this time.