Mechanicsburg man identified after fatal crash in Champaign County

MECHANICSBURG — One person has died after a three-vehicle crash in Mechanicsburg that has both directions of SR 4 closed in the area.

The crash happened near the Marathon gas station on SR 4, which turns into W. Sandusky Street in Mechanicsburg, around 6:30 p.m.

Sgt. Dave Slanker, of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Springfield Post, told News Center 7 that preliminary investigations show that a Ford Ranger was northbound on SR 4, entering Mechanicsburg when it lost control and traveled over railroad tracks.

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The Ranger went off the right side of the road and hit a car that was backing out of a gas station.

The driver of the car backing out of the gas station was 59-year-old Charles Rutan Jr. from Mechanicsburg. Rutan Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene.

57-year-old Jeffrey Burnette from Huber Heights, the occupant of the Ford Ranger, was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says speed and alcohol played a role in the crash.

Burnette was charged with operating a vehicle impaired and aggravated vehicular homicide. He has been booked into the Tri-County Jail, according to OSHP. His bond is set at $25,000.

One vehicle involved crashed into a house, according to Sgt. Christina Hayes, with Ohio State Highway Patrol.

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