FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO — Teen Killed, Another Man Injured in Early Morning Crash on State Route 753
UNION TOWNSHIP, OH — June 21, 2025 — A tragic collision early Saturday morning has left a 17-year-old dead and another man seriously injured in Fayette County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP).
Troopers responded to a report of a two-vehicle crash at approximately 6:55 a.m. on State Route 753, between U.S. Route 35 and Robinson Road in Union Township. The collision occurred on a rural stretch of road frequently traveled by commuters and residents of nearby towns.
According to OSHP’s preliminary investigation, a Chevrolet Colorado was traveling northeast on SR-753 when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado traveling in the opposite direction.
The driver of the Silverado, identified as 17-year-old Marcus Bentley of Washington Court House, was ejected from the vehicle due to the force of the impact. Emergency crews arrived within minutes, but tragically, Bentley was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Chevrolet Colorado, a 32-year-old man, was seriously injured in the collision. He was first transported to Fayette Memorial Hospital before being airlifted by medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. As of the latest updates, he remains hospitalized with serious injuries. His name has not been released at this time.
Investigation Underway
The cause of the crash remains under active investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Xenia Post. Investigators are working to determine what caused the Colorado to drift left of center. They are examining all possible contributing factors, including driver impairment, distraction, speed, and vehicle condition.
The Ohio Department of Transportation assisted with traffic control, and State Route 753 was closed for several hours Saturday morning as crash reconstruction specialists examined the scene and cleared the roadway.
Officials have not said whether charges will be filed, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Remembering Marcus Bentley
News of Marcus Bentley’s death has devastated the Washington Court House community. A student and athlete with a promising future ahead, Marcus was known for his warm personality, loyalty to friends, and passion for mechanics and the outdoors. He had recently completed his junior year of high school and was beginning to plan his future.
“He was the kind of kid who made everyone around him smile,” said one of Marcus’s former teachers. “Marcus had a bright future, and to see his life cut short in such a sudden way is heartbreaking.”
Counselors are expected to be made available through the local school district to support grieving students and staff.
Public Appeal and Safety Message
OSHP is urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the accident to contact their office as the investigation continues. They also took the opportunity to remind the public of the importance of seatbelt use, speed control, and attentive driving, particularly on two-lane rural highways where passing and curves can prove dangerous.
Contact Information
If you have information that could assist in the investigation, please contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol – Xenia Post at
(937) 832-4794.
As the investigation moves forward and two families face the aftermath of tragedy—one mourning the devastating loss of a son, the other anxiously awaiting updates from a hospital room—the wider Fayette County community is left to reflect on how quickly and cruelly life can change. The name Marcus Bentley will be remembered by those who knew him, not just for how he died, but for the energy and light he brought to the world while he was here.
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