On September 5th, 2025 at 1332 hrs, Sheriff Kent and three Deputies responded to the intersection of State Route 39 and State Route 598, to a report of a two-vehicle injury crash.
Deputies arrived and identified that Charles McClaskey, age 75, Marion, was operating a 2021 Ford Edge, northbound on SR 598. McClaskey had three passengers with him.
Kalynn O’Connell, age 30, Tiro was westbound on SR 39, operating a 2019 Chevy Equinox. O’Connell had two passengers with her.
The crash investigation revealed that McClaskey was northbound on SR 598, approached and stopped at the intersection of SR 39. McClaskey entered the intersection and was struck in the passenger side by O’Connell, who was westbound on SR 39.
After impact, McClaskey’s vehicle went off the northwast side of the intersection, coming to rest in the ditch. O’Connell’s vehicle went off the north side of SR 39 and came to rest in the ditch.
Assisting at the scene was:
Jefferson Twp. EMS
Life First Ambulance District
New Washington Fire & EMS
Liberty Twp. Fire Department
Tiro-Auburn Vol. Fire Department
Crestline Fire & EMS
MedFlight and Promedica Life Flight were called to the scene and airlifted two passengers from McClaskey’s vehicle to Grant Hospital in Columbus. The third passenger was transported by Tiro Auburn to Shelby MedCentral. McClaskey did not report any injuries.
O’Connell and two passengers were transported by Crestline EMS to Mansfield Med Central.
Hensley Towing was called and removed both vehicles from the scene. Ohio Dept. of Transportation responded to replace a downed stop sign.
The crash remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time.