Highway Patrol Investigates Fatal Crash in Wayne County
Joe Lyons •
November 10, 2023
Milton Township – On Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 03:48 PM the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Wooster Post was notified of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Route 57 and State Route 604 in Milton Township, Wayne County.
The investigation revealed a black 2003 Buick Park Avenue was stopped at the stop sign westbound on State Route 604 when it failed to yield and attempted to cross State Route 57. A red 2015 Chrysler 200 was southbound on State Route 57 and struck the Buick in the right front. The Buick came to rest in the southbound lane of State Route 57. The Chrysler came to rest near the southwest corner of State Route 57 and State Route 604.
The driver of the Buick, Larry R. Bratcher, 72 years old, of Creston, was injured in the crash and transported to Akron City Hospital where he died at 6:21 PM. The driver of the Chrysler, Jayvon Stanford Jones Dehart, 18 years old, of Orrville, was transported to Akron City Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Mr. Bratcher was belted in the Buick. Mr. Stanford was not belted in the Chrysler.
Alcohol is suspected to be a contributing factor in this crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Chippewa Township Fire and EMS, Rittman Fire and EMS, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, 3 Son’s Towing, and Bear’s Towing.