Two Crashes in Darke County Leave Four People Injured

DARKE COUNTY — Two separate crashes in Darke County Friday left four people injured, according to the Darke County Sheriff's Office.

The first crash happened around 12:32 p.m. in the 800 block of Beamsville-Union City Road.

Deputies said 25-year-old Noah Cozart of Union City was driving a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix westbound when he drove through high water on the roadway. The vehicle hydroplaned, causing Cozart to lose control.

The Pontiac left the roadway, entered a ditch and rolled multiple times before striking a fence and coming to rest in a field.

Cozart and his passenger, 19-year-old Jayden Hampton of Greenville, were transported to Wayne HealthCare with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Darke County Highway Department had high-water signs in place warning motorists of the road hazard. Cozart was cited for failure to maintain reasonable control of a motor vehicle.

The second crash happened around 3:50 p.m. at the intersection of State Route 118 and Children's Home Bradford Road.

Deputies said 18-year-old Jessica Sims of Portland, Indiana, was driving a 2004 Toyota Sienna eastbound on Children's Home Bradford Road when she failed to yield at a stop sign.

The Sienna was struck by a northbound 2020 Jeep Cherokee driven by 16-year-old Amber Stucke of Maria Stein. Sims' vehicle then struck a 2023 Chevrolet Silverado driven by 56-year-old Brett Sackett of Pitsburg, Ohio, who was stopped at the stop sign.

Sims and her passenger were transported to Wayne HealthCare with suspected minor injuries.

Stucke and her passengers were treated and released at the scene.

Sims was cited for failure to yield the right of way after a clearly marked stop sign.