SIDNEY — Two separate crashes claimed two lives over the weekend.
On Sunday, Aug. 25, Soraya Rivadeneira, 49, of Troy, who is a guidance counselor with Troy City Schools, was killed in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of state Route 589 and Middleton Hume Road. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Shelby County Coroner’s Office.
In a separate crash Saturday, Jason Frey, 23, of New Bremen, was killed after his motorcycle was struck by another motorcycle and both drivers were ejected from their vehicles. Frey was pronounced dead at the scene also. Alcohol is being investigated as a contributing factor in the crash.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 6:46 p.m., the office received a report of a two-vehicle injury crash on state Route 589 near the intersection of Middleton Hume Road. Preliminary investigation indicates a 2012 Nissan Versa, driven by Rivadeneira was northbound on state Route 589 at Middleton Hume Road. A 2001 Ford F-250 driven by 19-year-old Devlin Allen, of Sidney, was northbound on state Route 589, approaching the intersection of Middleton Hume Road.
Rivadeneira turned right onto Middleton Hume Road, then veered left back on to state Route 589 to perform a u-turn. The vehicle traveled into the path of the Ford and was struck in the driver’s door. Both vehicles came to rest on state Route 589 north of the intersection. Allen and his passenger, Shauna Gates, 14, of Sidney, were transported by medics to Wilson Health Hospital for observation. The passenger of the Nissan, Sarah Huerta, 14, of Troy, was flown from the scene by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton.
According to Lehman Catholic High School’s Facebook page, Sarah is a freshman at the school. She was kept overnight for observation and was released from the hospital on Monday.
Assisting at the scene were the Perry-Port-Salem Township Rescue Squad, the Fletcher Fire Department, the Shelby County Coroner’s Office and CareFlight.
“We are shocked and so incredibly sad to learn of Ms. Rivadeneira’s passing,” Troy City Schools Superintendent Chris Piper said. “She was one of the true ‘shining stars’ of the Troy City Schools family. She was always there to brighten the day of everyone with whom she came in contact. She was such a beloved member of the Forest Elementary School staff.
Rivadeneira is survived by her husband, Ruben Huerta, and two daughters, Mariana and Sarah.
“Right now, our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her friends, her students and the Forest staff. We have the Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services at the school to help aid staff and students, many of whom are devastated by this tragic loss,” Piper said.
Piper said help will continue to be available to students and staff, and that the Tri County Board of Recovery and Mental Health has a crisis hotline anyone can call if they need someone to talk to. That number is 800-351-7347 or they can text “4Hope” to 741-741.
“Our school staff will continue to provide support in the coming days for those who need it,” Piper said.
Forest principal Paul Hohlbein said Rivadeneira will be missed by all of Forest’s students and staff.
“Soraya was a beloved member of the Forest community and will be greatly missed by all those who were fortunate enough to know her,” Hohlbein said. “We were so blessed to have worked with her. She left all of us a clear picture of what it means to be an employee of Troy City Schools generally and a remarkable individual specifically. All of our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and colleagues.
“The Forest family is a strong one and, while broken-hearted, we are doing our best to pull together and be there for one another now and in the coming days,” Hohlbein said.
According to the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, the fatal crash which killed Frey occurred on State Route 219, near the Auglaize Mercer County Line.
On Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, at approximately 9:49 p.m., state troopers responded to a three-vehicle crash on state Route 219 near the Mercer Auglaize County Line. There were three vehicles involved, two motorcycles and one pick-up truck.
Jason Frey, age 23,of New Bremen, Ohio, was driving a 2009 blue Harley Davidson motorcycle. Andrew Bohman, age 25, of Maria Stein, was driving a white 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle. Douglas Miller, age 52, of Piqua, was driving a red 2016 Dodge Ram pick-up truck.
Both Harley Davidsons were traveling eastbound on state Route 219 in the left lane. The white Harley Davidson, driven by Bohman, was in front of the blue Harley Davidson driven by Frey. Frye’s blue Harley Davidson struck Bohman’s white Harley Davidson in the rear. Both drivers were ejected from the motorcycles.
The blue Harley Davidson fell to its side on the roadway and the white Harley Davidson continued rolling eastbound on state Route 219, striking the red Dodge pick-up truck that was also traveling eastbound.
Frey was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of his injuries sustained during the crash. He was transported to Hogenkamp Funeral Home. Bohman was transported to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys and then flown to Lima Memorial Hospital. Miller was not injured and drove his vehicle from the scene.
No safety helmets were being used by either of the motorcyclists. A seatbelt was being worn during the crash by the driver of the pick-up truck. Next of kin has been notified.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
Departments assisting on scene included the Montezuma and St. Marys Township Fire and Rescue, Mercer County EMS, Coldwater EMS, Auglaize County Community Emergency Response Team, Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers , Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation and Crash Reconstruction Units, Auglaize and Mercer County Sheriff Offices and Hogenkamp Funeral Home.
Frey’s obituary appears on Page 2.
