Marvin D. Collins, 56, 209 Washington Street, Fort Recovery had set up traffic control at the intersection of US 127 / SR 274 with another MCERV volunteer, James E. Kittle, 64, 7507 SR 118, Celina. Both volunteers had pickup trucks with amber roof lights, which were in operation, and had set up orange reflective traffic cones. Both volunteers were wearing reflective traffic vests and had flashlights with red traffic cones attached for visibility.
At approximately 7:57 PM, Collins returned to his truck to retrieve more equipment, when a northbound 2001 Saturn, driven by Kameron J. McCarty, 21, address at large, failed to slow or yield to the traffic control that had been set up. McCarty’s vehicle drove over an orange reflective traffic cone and struck the front end of Collins pickup truck, pushing it into Kittle’s pickup truck that was parked offset, but behind Collins vehicle. Collins was struck by the vehicles and severely injured. Collins was then transported to Mercer Health by St. Henry EMS where he was transferred by medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
McCarty and his passenger, Ashley N. Farmer, 107 S. LeBlonde St, Celina, were not injured in the crash. Farmer was arrested at the scene on an outstanding warrant held by Celina Police Department for Theft. Also located during the investigation was a syringe and charges of possession of drug paraphernalia are pending and expected to be filed at a later time.
McCarty refused to consent to a blood or urine test. Deputies requested assistance from the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and a search warrant was applied for and granted to take a sample of McCarty’s blood and urine.
McCarty is being held in the Mercer County Adult Detention Facility. Formal are charges are expected today, after a review of the incident by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Last night’s crash is a tragedy. MCERV just this year celebrated 10 years of service to the citizens of Mercer County, their service has saved tens of thousands of dollars for the taxpayers. Our prayers are with the Collins family at this time,” stated Sheriff Grey.
The Chickasaw Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the scene.