RICHLAND TOWNSHIP__On July 1, 2025, at approximately 3:02 p.m., the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a report of a crash on I-75 near Beaverdam, Ohio in Allen County.
Donald Eckler, age 82, from Lincolnton, North Carolina was driving a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado southbound in the northbound lanes of I-75. Mr. Eckler hit a 2022 Mercedes- Benz Sprinter van head on. The Mercedes-Benz was driven by Yazan Aljayousi, age 22, from Dearborn, Michigan.
JUNE 26 MEDIA RELEASE__At 11:31 a.m. on June 26, 2025, the Findlay Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol received the call of a multiple vehicle crash on IR 75 near SR 103 in Hancock County.
All eight vehicles involved were traveling south on IR 75. Traffic had slowed down near SR 103. A 2019 Volvo semi and trailer driven by Barinder Sarao, age 29 of Ontario, Canada struck the slower traffic causing a chain reaction of vehicles striking each other. Mr. Sarao's semi and trailer entered the median, striking the cable barrier. Mr. Sarao's vehicle then entered the northbound lanes of IR 75 blocking the northbound lanes. This crash resulted in the lengthy closure of all lanes of both northbound and southbound IR 75.
As your Mayor, I would like to personally thank all EMS, Fire and Police personnel who were involved with the accident on I-75 today, [June 26]. Their professional experience showed how Bluffton is so fortunate to have such dedicated people.
MEDIA RELEASE JUNE 26__Bluffton EMS Chief Noah Babcock wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional teams from Bluffton Fire Department, Bluffton Police Department, Beaverdam Fire and Rescue, Hanco EMS, and the State Highway Patrol for their invaluable assistance during a recent multi-vehicle accident.
Hometown Stations (WLIO) has reported on a June 23 hearing in Allen County Common Pleas Court, where Ronald Powell Jr. sought to have his case dismissed involving charges for a December 2021 shooting in Bluffton.
Powell's attorney says the days allowed for a speedy trial have expired. Prosecutors say delays are due to paperwork being sent to the wrong address. The case awaits a ruling from judge Jeffrey L. Reed.
A June 23 hearing has been scheduled before Allen County Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey Reed in the state’s case vs. Ronald Powell, who is charged with allegedly shooting at Bluffton Police Department officers in December 2021.
Powell, age 53, faces five charges including felonious assault, discharge of firearm on or near prohibited premise, failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer, improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and having weapons while under disability with firearm.
