A mid-morning crash in Morrow County ended in two fatalities as David Rothgeb, 48, of Mount Vernon and Karri Sira, 25, of Mount Vernon, both died on the scene.
The two-vehicle collision occurred at approximately 8 a.m. on State Route 229 near County Road 221, west of Marengo.
According to the Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Rothgeb was operating a silver 2004 Mazda Tribute traveling eastbound, as Shira was operating a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe traveling westbound on State Route 229.
The post reports that one of the vehicles went left of center violation resulting in a head-on collision forcing the Mazda of the road and into a guard rail.
Additionally, the Hyundai went off of the north side of the roadway, overturned and struck a guard rail.
Alcohol or drug usage for either vehicle operator is not known at this time. Shira was wearing her seat belt, but Rothgeb was not.
As a result of the severe damage and fatalities involved, the Ohio Department of Transportation closed State Route 229 in both directions between US Route 42 and State Route 61 for an extended period. The roadway has since re-opened.
A fatal crash occurred this morning on State Route 229 just west of Marengo. The collision left at least two people dead. It remains under investigation
