By Kimberly Gasuras
A crash that took the life of a Galion man is still under investigation by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.
Lyle W. Roberts, 56, Galion, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that occurred on Ohio 19, east of Ohio 100 on Wednesday afternoon. A passenger in Robert’s vehicle, 37-year-old Samantha Matney, Bucyrus, was taken to the Ohio State University Medical Center by medical helicopter for treatment while the driver of the other vehicle involved, Cory L. Pierce, 49, also of Galion, was taken by Life Support Team EMS to Bucyrus Community Hospital for treatment.
Rhonda A. Banks, 43, Galion, was a passenger in Pierce’s vehicle.
“I have never been in an accident like this before and I am lucky to be alive,” said Banks.
Banks said Pierce was giving her a ride to a doctor’s appointment in Bucyrus when the crash occurred.
“I was texting my boyfriend that we were almost to Bucyrus when I looked up and saw that Cory was texting. Before I could say anything, the truck was spinning. It all happened so quickly,” said Banks. “I am so sad that someone lost his life.”
According to a report from the Sheriff’s Office, a preliminary investigation shows that Pierce was traveling westbound on Ohio 19 in a black 1999 Chevy truck when the vehicle went left of center and struck a 1999 Saturn that was driven by Roberts.
The truck traveled off the north side of the roadway into the ditch and came to a stop, facing east. The Saturn went partially off the south side of the road and also came to a stop, facing east.
The Ohio Highway Patrol, Medflight and the Whetstone Township Fire Department assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.