Off-duty Bellville, Butler police officer dies in Morrow County crash
By David Jacobs
A 20-year-old off-duty police officer who worked for both the Bellville and Butler police departments was identified by local governments Monday afternoon as the motorist who died in a two-vehicle Morrow County crash earlier in the day.
The passing of Summer Kennard, who also had community and educational ties to Willard and the Shelby area, was announced via social media in posts by police in Bellville and Butler.
The crash occurred at 5:32 a.m. on U.S. 42 in Morrow County's Gilead Township, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
Kennard, of Cardington, was driving a 2010 Toyota RAV4 eastbound on U.S. Route 42, drove off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected and traveled left of center, the patrol said. The RAV4 then collided with a 2013 Ford F-150 pickup truck driven by Ricky Smalley, 63, of Galion, the patrol said.
Kennard was transported from the scene by Morrow County EMS to Morrow County OhioHealth Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Morrow County EMS transported Smalley to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Both drivers were the only vehicle occupants and were wearing their seatbelts, the patrol said.
Bellville and Butler are Richland County villages.
In its Facebook post, Bellville police expressed "great sadness" in informing people that "the Bellville Police Department lost an outstanding officer."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Kennard’s family and friends," the post said. "She will always remain in our hearts and minds here within the department."
In a separate post, Bellville Mayor Teri Brenkus wrote: "Please join me in offering prayers and support to Officer Kennard’s family, friends, and the Bellville and Butler Police Department (where she served) during this extremely difficult time."
In her Facebook post, Mayor Brenkus included the Bellville police statement that included an earlier photo of Officer Kennard in uniform.
Informing the Butler community with "a heavy heart and great sadness" Butler Police Chief Eric Winbigler said in a statement posted on Facebook: "Officer Summer Kennard, being a Police Officer for the Village of Butler, will be missed beyond words, and the impact she left on the Village will be remembered for years.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the rest of the Law Enforcement Community that worked with her,” Winbigler wrote.
The Facebook page of the Mayor of the village of Butler, Ohio said: "Please keep Officer Kennard’s friends and family as well as our officers and village staff in your thoughts and prayers."
Others expressing condolences online noted that Officer Kennard had ties during her school years to Willard High School, Pioneer Career and Technology Center and the Shelby area.
The crash is being investigated by the state patrol's Mount Gilead post.
The Morrow County Sheriff's Office, Morrow County EMS and Cardington Fire Department assisted the patrol at the scene.
Check back for updates. This story was updated to correct the name of the Bellville mayor.