top of page
Writer's pictureAshland County Ohio News/ Tony Orender

Patrol Investigating Fatal Crash Involving a Church Bus and a Passenger Car.

For Immediate Release: January 24, 2024 

Contact: Lieutenant Bradley Bishop 


Patrol Investigates Fatal Crash Involving Church Bus and  Passenger Car 


Green Township- On Wednesday January 24, 2024 at approximately 6:15 p.m. the Ashland  Highway Patrol Post was advised of an injury crash involving a church bus and a passenger car  on State Route 39 near Township Road 749. A 2015 Chevrolet Equinox was operated  southbound on State Route 39 by 71-year-old Rickie Bilger of Loudonville, Ohio. A 2011  Thomas Built bus was operated northbound on State Route 39 by 68-year-old David Switzer of  Loudonville, Ohio. The Chevrolet and Thomas Built bus collided within the middle of both  travel lanes.


The Thomas Built traveled off of the west edge of State Route 39, struck a ditch  line and came to rest. The Equinox was redirected facing northbound and came to rest in the  southbound travel lane adjacent to the west edge of State Route 39. There were four passengers  on the bus and one occupant was taken to Wooster Community Hospital by Loudonville Fire  Department. Bilger was taken by Perrysville Fire Department to Ohio Health Mansfield and was  pronounced deceased.  


Bilger was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash.


Drugs and/or alcohol are not  suspected as factors in the crash. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the  Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Loudonville Police Department, Perrysville Fire Department, Loudonville Fire Department, and Bate’s Garage and Towing. State Route 39 was closed for  approximately 2 hours while the crash was investigated and the vehicles recovered from the area. 



The crash remains under investigation at this time.


1,438 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page