Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey reports that his office is investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred yesterday evening, August 29, 2024.  Mercer County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call at 7:35 PM of a traffic crash on Philothea Rd, west of Township Line Rd in Recovery Township.

The investigation revealed that Michael L Hatcher (69) of Fort Recovery, OH was driving a 2018 EZ Go golf cart, traveling westbound on Philothea Rd.  Caleb Wendel (17) of Coldwater, OH was also traveling westbound in a 2015 maroon Chevy 4 door, behind Hatcher.  Wendel failed to see Hatcher ahead of him and struck Hatcher from behind.   Hatcher was transported by St. Henry Squad 8 to Mercer Health, where he was later pronounced deceased. 

Assisting at the scene were members of the Southwest Mercer Fire Department, Southern Mercer EMS Squad 8, and MCERV.

The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Team was called to the scene.  This crash remains under investigation at this time and will be forwarded to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office for review.