Sheriff: Alcohol suspected in rollover crash that traps 2, ejects 1 in Darke Co.

DARKE COUNTY — UPDATE @ 6:30 a.m: Three people were flown to a local hospital by two separate medical helicopters after a rollover crash occurred in Darke County early Monday.

OTHER LOCAL NEWS: 2 taken to hospital after car travels through yards, strikes tree

Sheriff’s deputies from Darke County say they were dispatched to the area of Gettysburg Southeastern Road and Ohio 721 for a severe rollover crash with entrapment and ejection around 12:45 a.m.

A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2002 Saturn, driven by Dillon M.D. Jeffers, 27, of Bradford was traveling east on Gettysburg-Southeastern Road when the vehicle went off the side of the roadway as it approached a curve, a release stated.

Jeffers crossed the center-line twice, and went off the left and right sides of the road before hitting a tree in the 9900 block.

Fire crews requested two CareFlight units shortly after arriving at the crash site.

Once on scene, it was determined that three people were inside the vehicle at the time of the wreck.

Jeffers and his front seat passenger, James D. Rake, 34, of Piqua were pinned inside of the vehicle and had to be extricated by fire crews, officials said.

The rear passenger, Tiera J. Trader, 25, of Bradford was ejected from the car.

All three individuals were airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital.

Jeffers is listed in critical condition and Rake is listed in serious.

Trader was transported to Wayne Healthcare from Miami Valley and is listed in stable condition, the release said.

Alcohol is suspected of being a factor in the crash, said Sgt. Tony Royers with the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s a holiday weekend. If you’re going to be out drinking, always have a designated driver,” Royers said.

The Darke County Accident Reconstruction team was requested to the scene to assist in the crash investigation.

The crash remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.