UPDATE: The deceased driver of the 2013 GMC Acadia was identified as John McGowan (37) of Laurel, Indiana.
On Thursday morning at approximately 5:48 am, Darke County Deputies along with Greenville Township Rescue and Greenville Fire Department responded to US Route 127 and Hunter Road in reference to a serious motor vehicle accident.
Preliminary investigation revealed a maroon 2013 GMC Acadia was traveling northbound on US Route 127 near Hunter Road when the vehicle traveled left of the centerline striking a southbound 2023 Freightliner semi-tractor/trailer driven by, Samuel Duran (47) of San Antonio, Texas. Duran continued southbound traveling left of the center line and coming to rest in the ditch. The 2013 GMC Acadia traveled off the right side of the roadway coming to rest in the ditch while fully engulfed with flames.
The unknown driver of the 2013 GMC Acadia was pronounced dead at the scene. Duran was treated and released at the scene.
Also responding to the accident scene were the Darke County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team, Darke County Coroner’s Office Investigator, Ohio State Patrol Motor Carrier Enforcement, Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio Department of Transportation.
US Route 127 between Hunter Road and Horatio-Harris Creek Road was closed for approximately 8 hours.
This accident remains under investigation by the Darke County Sheriff’s Office and the Darke County Coroner’s Office.