Deadly day in Darke County; 5 killed

DARKE CO., Ohio (WDTN) - Five people were killed during in three separate crashes in Darke County on Saturday.

The first accident happened around 5:30 a.m. at U.S. 127 and S.R. 47. Investigators said a 2002 Jeep Wrangler, driven by Robert H. Pierce, 31, of Ansonia, failed to stop at the stop sign and was hit by a 2000 Chevy Prizm, driven by Joseph H. Winhoven, 50, of Greenville. Winhoven and Pierce’s vehicles both went off the northeast corner of the intersection.  Both vehicles flipped.
 
Authorities said Winhoven was trapped inside his vehicle and died at the scene. Pierce was taken to Wayne Hospital where his condition is unknown.

Around 1:30 p.m. Darke County Deputies responded to a second crash in the same area.

When deputies arrived to U.S. 127 and S.R. 503 they found an accident involving a semi and a car. Investigators said Lisa A. Wright, 43, of Arcanum, was driving a 2007 Chevy Malibu when she ran a stop sign and hit a semi, driven by Don A. Bailey, 43, from Tallahassee, Florida.

Wright was ejected from her vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her passenger, Daryn Wright, 13, of Arcanum, was trapped inside the over turned vehicle. He was later taken by Careflight to Dayton Children's where he was listed in fair condition Sunday night. The other driver, Bailey, refused treatment.

The third deadly crash happened around 5:15 on Byrkett Road and Barry Drive.

When deputies arrived they said they found a single car accident involving a 1994 Pontiac Bonneville.

Officials said the initial investigation showed the car, driven by 16 year-old Austin Meade of Greenville, went off the right side of the road, was over-corrected and then flipped several times before coming to a stop in a wooded area.

Deputies said Meade had two passengers in the vehicle with him, Justice Meade, 16, and Brian Mendenhall, 15, both of Greenville.  All three teens were pronounced dead at the scene.

This was Darke County's 14th fatal crash of 2012. To date, 16 people have been killed on Darke County roadways.