Sidney HS senior dies in weather-related crash with Spectrum van

SHELBY COUNTY — UPDATE @ 8 p.m.

The Sidney High School senior killed in a two-vehicle crash this morning was known for her skills on the softball field.

Kacey D. Swiger played fast-pitch softball for her school, and also for the Miami County Blaze league, where she was a catcher.

Curt Schaefer, MC Blaze director, said he was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of a player.

She played for the league for three years, most recently this past summer.

“She was a strong player and a very delightful girl to coach, and very coachable,” he said.

Schaefer said Swiger had aspirations to play at a higher level, and that he thought she could do it.

“I really know she wanted to get to that next level and she had the heart for it,” he said.

UPDATE @ 3:10 p.m.

The driver killed in a two-vehicle crash this morning was identified as 18-year-old Kacey D. Swiger of Sidney, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Swiger was the driver of a red 2000 Pontiac Grand Am traveling south on state Route 29 south of Ft. Loramie Swanders Road. According to preliminary investigation, she lost control, slid broadside across the center line and into the path of a white 2011 Ford full-size Spectrum cable company van headed north.

The van, driven by Davares Pruitt of Dayton, was unable to avoid the crash, deputies said. Pruitt was taken to Wilson HealthCare in Sidney.

Swiger was pronounced dead at the scene. She played catcher for her high school softball team and for the select Miami County Blaze team.

The crash remains under investigation, but deputies said weather conditions are a factor.

FIRST REPORT

Icy roads are to blame for a crash that killed the 18-year-old driver of a car this morning near Sidney, deputies said.

The driver of a car went left of center on state Route 29 near the Mason Road intersection and into the path of a Spectrum cable company van, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash was reported around 8:40 a.m., and the road was reopened by 11:30 a.m.

The driver, who is from the Sidney area, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver’s body was taken to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office for autopsy.

The Spectrum driver was taken to Wilson HealthCare to be treated for injuries described as not serious.

The crash remains under investigation, but the sheriff’s office said icy roads were a factor.

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