Man dies hours after being struck by car

Photos: Minivan strikes pedestrian

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By Katherine Ullmer Staff Writer Updated 6:05 PM Monday, November 30, 2009

NEW CARLISLE — A pedestrian struck by a car at the intersection of Ohio 235 and Styer Road died at Miami Valley Hospital Sunday night, officials said Monday, Nov. 30.

The Montgomery County Coroner’s office identified the man as Larry Downs, 57, of 1114 Fyffe Avenue in Park Layne. Coroner investigator Jim Fannin said Downs died in the operating room of Miami Valley Hospital, probably from multiple blunt force trauma, though the cause of death has not been officially determined.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Downs is suspected to have been drinking alcohol, according to a dispatcher at the state patrol.

According to a press release from the OSP’s Springfield Post, David Saylor, 55, of 4130 Scarff Road in New Carlisle, was traveling north on Ohio 235 when he entered the intersection of Styer Road on a green traffic light.

Downs walked east, across Ohio 235 within the intersection, into the path of Saylor’s red 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan and was struck, according to the press release.

Saylor’s 12-year-old son was a front seat passenger. Both Saylor and his son were wearing lap shoulder seat belts and were not injured, the report said.

Downs was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by the Bethel Township medic squad. The crash remains under investigation.

“He used to take in foster kids,” Brian Kinter, Downs friend, said. He never married, but had two large collies, Lucky and Lady, that he was crazy about, Kinter said.

Kinter said he got to know Downs when he came into the small pizza shop he owned a number of years ago. He had a red semi and ran his own trucking company, Larry’s Trucking, LLC, Kinter said. He had one truck, which he used to haul things in the tri-state area.

“I was with Larry when he rededicated his life to Christ in 2004,” Kinter said.

Kinter said Downs called on Thanksgiving Day and told him he was going to put a turkey in the oven and hoped the Lord would send somebody down to share it with him. Kinter said he and another friend drove down to surprise Downs and ate dinner with him. The turkey had a mushroom gravy and potatos and onions in with it, he said. “It was absolutely delicious. He’ll be sorely missed,” he said.

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