Friday, May 30th, 2025

Maria Stein man killed in Thursday crash

From staff reports
Submitted Photo

A head-on car collision left one dead Thursday afternoon near the intersection of Guadalupe and Clover Four roads in Marion Township.

Photo from Mercer County Sheriff's Office

MARION TOWNSHIP - A 22-year-old Maria Stein man was killed and a 24-year-old Chickasaw woman was airlifted with unknown injuries following a head-on collision Thursday afternoon south of Celina, per a news release from Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman.

Mercer County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 12:43 p.m. of a traffic crash on Clover Four Road, east of Guadalupe Road in Marion Township, the release states.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Trent Pleiman was driving a 2013 silver Ford sedan, traveling east on Clover Four Road, the release states. Allison Bruggeman was traveling westbound in a 2019 red Jeep SUV. For an unknown reason, Pleiman traveled left of center into the opposite lane of travel, striking Bruggeman's vehicle head-on, the release stated.

Bruggeman was transported by ambulance to Mercer Health in Coldwater and airlifted by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton for further treatment. Pleiman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation at this time and will be forwarded to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office for review. This is the third fatal traffic crash in Mercer County for 2025.

Subscribe for $17/month

Assisting at the scene were members of the Montezuma Fire Department, Coldwater Squads 7 and 10, Mercer County EMS first responders and Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers.

Additional online story on this date
A dozen fire stations respond to Maria Stein; cause unknown
MARIA STEIN - Dozens of concerned neighbors and distraught parishioners watched firefighters from three counties battle for hours against a massive blaze that eventually decimated a nearly 135-year-old Catholic church on Thursday in Maria Stein. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
MARIA STEIN - The Rev. Ken Schnipke, pastor of The Christ Our Light Family of Parishes, said the best thing people can do right now is to pray for St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein, which was devastated by fire on Thursday afternoon.
Looking at nearly 200 years of history
MARIA STEIN - The oldest church in Mercer County, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, has been a gathering space for worship, weddings, baptisms and funerals for almost 200 years.
ST. MARYS - St. Marys Police Chief Brian Christopher was placed on administrative leave this week following allegations of workplace misconduct, a news release from Director of Public Service and Safety Greg Foxhoven states.
Although the Indiana Board of Animal Health declared the state is "HPAI-free" this week per World Organization for Animal Health standards, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is still tracking when the Buckeye State could be declared free of the disease by WOAH standards.
Coldwater holds off Oak Harbor rally to advance to finals
BLUFFTON - With three of the four teams at the Division V district baseball tournament having 20 or more wins, Coldwater knew it was going to be a battle to get to the district final.
ELIDA - After winning in a no-hitter in its tournament opener, Minster looked for another big win in the Division VII district baseball semifinals on Thursday.
Compiled By Gary R. Rasberry
Coldwater freshman Johnny Pohlman finished seventh in the long jump to wrap up his season at the Division II regional track and field meet on Thursday at Lexington High School.
Celina
CELINA - Commencement for 163 Celina High School graduates of the class of 2025 was held May 18 at Celina Stadium.
Valedictorian Brooke Faber is the daughter of Keith and Andrea Faber. She will attend the Ohio State University with aspirations of becoming a doctor of physical therapy.
Coldwater
Coldwater High School said goodbye to a "phenomenally" resilient class of almost 100 students in 2025, principal Jason Hemmelgarn said.
"We are alw
Fort Recovery
FORT RECOVERY - Fort Recovery said goodbye to a class full of 77 self-starters earlier this month with the graduation of the class of 2025.
"What s
Marion Local
By EMMA WILKER
Marion Local High School

MARIA STEIN - The 72 seniors from the Marion Local class of 2025 marked a major milestone in their liv
Minster
MINSTER - The Minster High School 62-member class of 2025 was packed with outgoing personalities and hard-working kids, principal Austin Kaylor said.
"Over their four years, they shined in many ways - academics, athletics, band, FFA and many more," he said.
New Knoxville
NEW KNOXVILLE - Although New Knoxville High School's class of 2025 is small in numbers, it is mighty nonetheless, Mark Platfoot, grades 4-12 principal, said.
New Bremen
NEW BREMEN - For high school principal Marcus Overman, the class of 2025 stood out because of its willingness to communicate.
"(They were willing)
Parkway
ROCKFORD - Commencement for 83 Parkway High School graduates was held May 18 in the Parkway High School gym.
In total 79 seniors and 4 juniors graduated.
St. Henry
ST. HENRY - The 70 graduates that make up the St. Henry High School class of 2025 stood out for their vibrant personalities and the joy they brought to the village, principal Eric Rosenbeck said.
St. Marys
ST. MARYS - Full of great talent and leadership, the St. Marys Memorial High School class of 2025 are sure to be sorely missed, principal Jason Johnson said.
Tri Star Career Compact
CELINA - Commencement for 214 Tri Star graduates of the class of 2025 was held May 15 in Tri Star's Crown Student Union.
The event began with the p