1976 Minster Fatal Crash Brings Back Memories

As the word spread throughout the community about four teens who were killed over the weekend, many recalled a traffic crash 32 years ago in Mercer County that killed eight students from Minster High School, not far from Saturday’s fatality.

Minster Memorial Field, home of the Wildcats, was built by the citizens of the area in memory of the eight students were killed more than 30 years ago.

Doug Hausfeld’s younger brother, Tom, was one of the students that were on Fort-Recovery-Minster Road the night the teens were killed. Tom said he escaped injury. Doug Hausfeld was dispatched to the scene by the Ohio State Patrol with a tow truck.

All eight students were buried side-by-side in a church cemetery in Minster. They are Tony Kemper, Lester Ranley, Barbara Olding, Michael Kemper, Ken Sommer, Scott Westerheide, Rebecca Moorman and Joy Branewie.