Monday, December 1st, 2014
One-vehicle crash claims the life of New Bremen man
By Shelley Grieshop
NEW BREMEN - A 19-year-old man was killed Saturday night and a friend injured in a single-vehicle crash on Plattner Pike, north of the village.
Shelby Fear of New Bremen - the father of two young children - was pronounced dead at the scene by the Auglaize County Coroner's Office. The accident took place at 10:19 p.m., south of Southland Road.
The passenger, Tristan Hoffmaster, 18, a New Bremen High School senior, was taken to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, and treated for minor injuries, according to the Wapakoneta post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Troopers suspect Fear was driving the 2004 Dodge Stratus and not wearing a seat belt.
According to the report, the car was heading south on Plattner Pike when it traveled off the right side of the road, struck several trees and overturned. The vehicle came to rest on its top with heavy, disabling damage, the report noted.
The cause of the crash appears to be speed and driver inexperience, OSHP Sgt. John Westerfield told the newspaper this morning.
"Shelby Fear just had a temporary (driver's) permit," he said.
The vehicle was owned by Hoffmaster's sister, whom the teens had dropped off at a business in St. Marys just prior to the accident. Hoffmaster reportedly told troopers he allowed Fear to drive back to the New Bremen area after he repeatedly asked permission.
"We're doing an accident reconstruction ... but I think he (Fear) was going way too fast on that road. He (Hoffmaster) said they were going 65 to 70 mph," the sergeant said. "I think it was just driver inexperience."
Fear, a 2014 graduate of New Bremen High School, was the son of David Fear, New Bremen, and Jodi and John Warner, Elkhart, Ind. He also is survived by a daughter, Ryleigh, a son, Carter, and 16 siblings.
Fear was employed at Auglaize Erie Machine and formerly worked at LaPiazza, both of New Bremen.
New Bremen schools superintendent Howard Overman talked highly of Fear.
"He was a good person and very respectful at school," he said.
Overman called the accident a tragedy.
"Our hearts go out to the family," he said.
School officials also have reached out to Hoffmaster's family, Overman said. The school's guidance staff is available for any students and staff in need, he added.
Fear's death marks the seventh traffic fatality in Auglaize County this year.
