HARDIN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - A head-on collision in Hardin County killed four people on Thursday. The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that a call came in around 5:30 p.m. Thursday of a crash in the 20,000 block of CR144. When deputies arrived, they found a sedan and minivan had crashed head-on with the drivers and passengers all dead. Pronounced dead at the scene were Daren and Daryl Friend of Marion County in the van, and in the car were Henry and Joyce Mitchell also of Marion County. The Sheriff’s Office reports that Daren Friend was westbound traveling at a high rate of speed and went left of center hitting the eastbound car driven by Joyce Mitchell. The crash remains under investigation.
Media Release from Hardin County Sheriff’s Office Oct. 26th, 2023.
On Thursday October 26th at 5:34 pm Hardin County Central Dispatch received a call regarding a two vehicle crash in the 20,000 block of Co Rd 144. Upon arrival it was determined that the crash involved a head-on collision between an east bound sedan and a west bound minivan. The investigation shows that the west bound minivan was traveling at a high rate of speed and went left of center, striking head on the east bound sedan. Upon further investigation it was determined that there were four deceased persons, two in each vehicle.
The Multi-County Crash Investigation Team was called to assist in the investigation. The deceased persons are Daren (driver of westbound minivan) and Daryl Friend of Marion County as well as Henry and Joyce Mitchell (driver of east bound sedan), also of Marion County.
The Sheriff’s Office enforcement unit was assisted at the scene by the Mt. Victory Fire Department, Kenton Fire Department, BKP EMS, Hardin Co Sheriff’s Drone Unit, Hardin County Coroners Office and Osborns Towing.
The crash remains under investigation.
