Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Celina driver killed

By Margie Wuebker
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

The damaged car of Matthias J. Pearson rests along state Route 29, just west of Fleetfoot Road, following a Tuesday afternoon accident. Pearson is the ninth traffic fatality of the year in Mercer County.

A local businessman died Tuesday when his car drifted left of center and struck a semitrailer while he was going home to pick up supplies.
The accident occurred at 2:07 p.m. along state Route 29 west of Celina, just west of Fleetfoot Road.
Matthias "Matt" J. Pearson, 50, of Celina, the owner of Matt's Soft Water Service, was pronounced dead at Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater. He is the ninth traffic fatality in the county since Jan. 23.
Pearson was driving eastbound when his 1995 Pontiac drifted left of center and struck a westbound semitrailer cab driven by Willie Antuan Brown, 28, of DuPont, Wash., according to Mercer County sheriff's office reports.
Witnesses to the crash told deputies the Pearson car was being driven erratically just before it traveled left of center and struck the left side fuel tank of the 2010 International owned by Covenant Transport Inc. of Edinburgh, Ind.
Both men were taken to Coldwater hospital. Brown was not listed as a patient this morning.
Wreckers were called to the scene to remove the heavily damaged vehicles. The cab sustained multiple flat tires, and some diesel fuel spilled along the highway.
Units from Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers were called to the scene for traffic control. Representatives of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio also responded.
"Matt was coming home to get more supplies before he headed over to another job in Mendon," his mother, Mary Jo Pearson, told The Daily Standard this morning. "He had plenty of time because he didn't have to be there until 3 or 3:30."
She said it was the second accident her son had in the past week or so, explaining he had previously struck a deer while driving on Fleetfoot Road.
He has three children - Christopher, 23, Jade, 21, and Matthias, 2.
The accident is the latest fatal crash resulting from a driver going left of center. An incident March 31 on U.S. 127, south of Clover Four Road, claimed five lives. On April 16 a Celina woman died after she veered left of center and her car collided with the rear wheels of a semitrailer on U.S. 127, north of Clover Four Road.
Authorities continue to warn motorists about the dangers of distracted driving and encourage people to notify law enforcement regarding erratic driving.
Additional online stories on this date
COLDWATER - Charles Tackett of Bellevue is the new principal at Coldwater high school.
Tackett, 41, said he is excited to take on the position and intends to bring a positive energy to the district. He was chosen unanimously by school board members among 32 candidates; only two were interviewed. [More]
COLDWATER - The Coldwater Cavaliers received a game-winning hit from Matt Selhorst with two outs in the 15th inning to defeat the Minster Wildcats 2-1 in Midwest Athletic Conference play on Tuesday at Veterans Field. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Building new elementary, middle school has $46.2 million price tag
CELINA - School officials on Tuesday asked audience members if they would be in favor of building a new middle school and a new elementary building.
MONTEZUMA - A concern over future road funding was raised Tuesday by the county engineer at a public hearing for the proposed preservation of Franklin Township farmland.
Transplant recipient registers donors
CELINA - Wright State University-Lake Campus sophomore Rachel Doseck is alive today because of an organ donor.
The 20-year-old Botkins woman studying communications received a heart transplant when she was a child after a virus had attacked and damaged her heart.
MENDON - A Celina company was awarded a $68,300 contract to work on a revitalization project in the village.
Mercer County Commissioners on Tuesday chose Miami & Erie Contractors for the job after the company submitted the lowest of three bids.
Plaintiffs claim state-managed West Bank spillway adds to flooding
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CELINA - Democracy in Ohio is suffering from the legislative activity and actions of extremists in Columbus, Ohio, Education Association Executive Director and We Are Ohio chairman Larry Wicks said.
New Bremen
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The area extends north of Amsterdam Road to Dollar General and south to Springcreek Concrete. The meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. May 2 at the site near Pizza Hut.
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Pit Stop Fashions, 125 S. Main St., is owned by Lynette Pitroipa, who manages the store, and her husband Bartlemie.
ST. MARYS - A new fitness center-library opened this week to Otterbein Senior Lifestyle Choices residents and older YMCA members.
The new Life Enri
CELINA - With the tournament draw coming up this Sunday, Celina's softball team has begun to peak.
The Bulldogs scored in every inning and Katie Ke
Local Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Celina track teams earned wins over Western Buckeye League rivals Shawnee and St. Marys as well as Grand Lake Christian on Tuesday.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Wright State University-Lake Campus' baseball team inched closer to an Ohio Regional College Conference West Division title after defeating Ohio State University-Lima 10-8 on Tuesday in Lima.