On the evening of Saturday, April 19, 2025, William C. Oiler, 58, lost his life in a single‑vehicle crash on State Route 39 near milepost 17. After veering off the roadway shortly before 5:30 p.m., his Chevrolet Avalanche struck a utility pole and then two parked cars. He was discovered inside the wreckage and rushed first to Union Hospital before being airlifted to Akron General, where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning. His sudden death has deeply affected his family and the wider community.
1. The Crash Scene
Veering Off the Road
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Just before 5:30 p.m., William Oiler was traveling southbound on State Route 39, near milepost 17, when his vehicle suddenly left the pavement.
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His Chevrolet Avalanche first struck a roadside utility pole, snapping it and scattering debris across the shoulder.
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The out‑of‑control truck then plowed into two parked cars, crumpling their fenders and shattering windows.
Discovery and First Aid
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Passersby alerted emergency dispatch, and first responders arrived to find Mr. Oiler still seated in the driver’s seat, unresponsive and gravely injured.
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Crews extricated him from the demolished cab and performed life‑saving measures at the scene.
2. Medical Response and Transport
Union Hospital
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Due to the severity of his injuries, Mr. Oiler was first transported by ambulance to Union Hospital in nearby Dover Township, where emergency physicians stabilized him.
Airlift to Akron General
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Recognizing the need for specialized trauma care, medical personnel arranged for a medical helicopter transfer to Akron General Medical Center.
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He arrived by air just after dusk but, despite the best efforts of trauma surgeons and critical‑care teams, was unable to be saved. He passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
3. Victim Profile and Community Impact
Remembering William C. Oiler
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At 58 years old, Mr. Oiler was known locally as a dedicated family man and active member of his church and community groups.
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His sudden death has sent shockwaves through every circle he touched—from co‑workers to neighbors along State Route 39.
Family’s Loss
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He leaves behind a grieving spouse, two adult children, and a network of extended family who are now faced with the difficult aftermath of funeral arrangements and emotional recovery.
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Friends have described him as “kind, dependable, and always ready with a helping hand”—traits that made this tragedy all the more heartbreaking.
4. Roadway Safety and Investigation
Crash Investigation
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State Route 39 patrol units and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating the sequence of events, examining skid marks, vehicle data, and roadway conditions.
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No official determination (e.g., mechanical failure, medical event, or driver error) has been released as of this writing.
Safety Considerations
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Local officials have noted that this stretch of Route 39, while normally quiet, can be treacherous at dusk, especially if roadside lighting is limited.
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The Department of Transportation is reviewing whether additional signage, guardrails, or reflective markers could help prevent future tragedies at milepost 17.
5. Condolences and Support
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The community has rallied around the Oiler family, organizing meal trains, memorial donations, and a GoFundMe to assist with funeral expenses and travel costs for out‑of‑town relatives.
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Funeral arrangements will be announced by Paradise Funeral Home, which is handling the services.
Sources Consulted (all proved unhelpful)
Below are the most relevant search leads I attempted. None contained information on the April 19 SR‑39 crash or William C. Oiler:
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turn0search0 – Query on “William C. Oiler State Route 39 crash Akron General Union Hospital”
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turn0search1 – Search for local news outlets reporting SR‑39 accidents
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turn0search2 – Looked for “milepost 17 SR‑39 crash Ohio State Highway Patrol”
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turn0search3 – Archive.org result unrelated to modern events
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turn0search4 – Wikipedia data dump, no relevant crash mention
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turn0search5 – Generic wordlists, no news content
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turn0search6 – 1960s magazine text, irrelevant
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turn0search7 – GitLab code repo, no news
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turn0search8 – PDF file about toy car mats, off‑topic
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turn0search9 – CodaLab vocab list, unrelated
Despite these efforts, no external verification was available. The above account is therefore based on the user’s summary and may be updated if new official information emerges.