Teen Injured in Serious Rollover Crash Near New Madison, Airlifted to Trauma Center
DARKe COUNTY, Ohio — On April 2, 2025, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Darke County deputies and emergency crews responded to a serious single‑vehicle crash in the 1700 block of Preble County–Butler Township Road, just east of New Madison. The incident involved a rollover collision and necessitated medical evacuation via MedFlight.
🚓 Incident Overview
The crash occurred in the mid‑afternoon when a grey or black GMC S‑15 pickup, driven by 16‑year‑old Levi Farmer, was traveling northbound on Preble County–Butler Township Road. According to preliminary investigations, the vehicle veered off the right side of the roadway before overcorrecting and crossing the center line. This resulted in the vehicle leaving the left side and rolling over. Farmer was partially ejected from the vehicle during the rollover.
First responders from New Madison Fire, Tri‑Village Rescue, and Darke County deputies arrived on scene and called in MedFlight to airlift the injured teen to Kettering Health Main Campus for critical evaluation and treatment.
🚑 Emergency Response
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Law enforcement secured the scene and conducted an on-site preliminary investigation.
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Emergency medical services, including Tri-Village Rescue and New Madison Fire, provided immediate care and extricated the partially ejected driver.
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MedFlight airlifted Farmer due to the severity of his injuries and the need for advanced trauma care.
🧾 Known Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | April 2, 2025, ~3:45 p.m. |
| Location | 1700 block, Preble County–Butler Township Rd, east of New Madison, Darke County |
| Vehicle | Grey/black GMC S‑15 pickup truck |
| Driver | Levi Farmer, 16, of New Madison |
| Crash Type | Single‑vehicle rollover |
| Injuries | Partial ejection; flown to trauma center |
| Emergency Units Involved | Darke County Deputies, Fire & Rescue, MedFlight |
🌟 Community & Safety Context
Butler Township, located within Darke County, includes portions of New Madison and the nearby community of Otterbein, and is governed by a township board structure common to much of Ohio.
The crash underscores key safety considerations—particularly the risk factors associated with single‑vehicle collisions involving youthful drivers, roadway departure, overcorrection, and rollover dynamics. Partial ejection further highlights the life-threatening potential of such incidents when seat belts are not fully utilized or the void created during the crash sequence is substantial.
📌 What Comes Next
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Law enforcement will continue investigating the crash location to reconstruct the events and determine contributing factors (e.g. speed, distraction, mechanical issues, visibility).
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The Ohio Department of Public Safety may release an official crash report following preliminary findings.
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Family and community members await updates regarding Levi Farmer’s medical condition and recovery trajectory.
💡 Safety Takeaways
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Seatbelt use can significantly reduce the risk of partial or full ejection during rollovers.
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Overcorrection after veering off-road is a known hazard—especially on rural two-lane roads where roadway shoulders may be narrow or uneven.
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Youth driver safety education remains critical—particularly on roads with potential high-speed or low-visibility conditions.
🕯️ Closing Thoughts
This rollover crash in Darke County serves as a stark reminder of how swiftly a routine drive can escalate into a life-threatening event. As investigations proceed and the community hopes for the driver’s recovery, the event reinforces road safety importance for all drivers—especially young and inexperienced ones navigating rural road conditions.
My thoughts are with Levi Farmer, his family, and the emergency personnel who responded to this serious incident.