An Allen East student died in a traffic accident at the intersection of Lawrence Road and Clum Road at 5:50 p.m. Monday.
Gavin Reed, 8, was a second grader at Allen East Elementary School.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a 2013 Ford F-150 pickup driven by Richard J. Ortiz, 31, of Flatwoods, Kentucky, travelled southbound on Lawrence Road. A 2001 Ford Taurus, driven by Lisa M. Alexander, 29, of Harrod, was traveling eastbound on Clum Road, with her son, Reed, as a backseat passenger.
The driver of the pickup failed to yield to Alexander’s vehicle, striking it in the left side. After impact, Alexander’s car traveled off the southeast side of the road and struck several tombstones in Ridge Cemetery.
Ortiz was transported to Lima Memorial Health System for minor injuries. Alexander was transported to LMHS for serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Reed was also transported to LMHS, where he later died.
A mental health team from the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties is helping the pupils at the school through their grief.
