In Loving Memory of Those Lost on State Route 49
The Darke County community is mourning after a tragic multi-vehicle crash early Friday morning, January 16, 2026, that took multiple lives and left others injured. At approximately 7:21 a.m., the Darke County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a vehicle fire and possible crash in the 2400 block of State Route 49. Responders arrived to find a three-vehicle collision with two vehicles fully engulfed in flames. Multiple agencies assisted, including Arcanum Fire, Arcanum Rescue, Pitsburg Fire, Greenville Fire, Greenville Township EMS, and Careflight.
According to the preliminary investigation, a northbound cargo van pulling a trailer crossed the centerline and struck a southbound 2023 Chevrolet medical transport bus operated by 63-year-old Chris Bemis of St. Marys. Inside the bus were a juvenile passenger and an aid, 62-year-old Bonnie Behee of New Madison. The van continued forward and collided with a 2013 Dodge sedan driven by 18-year-old Kenadie Hensley of Arcanum. The van and sedan caught fire, and Hensley was able to escape. The two male occupants of the cargo van were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Behee and the juvenile passenger were transported to Wayne Healthcare with non-life-threatening injuries. Bemis was trapped in the wreckage and was mechanically extricated before being flown to Miami Valley Hospital, where he later passed away.
As investigators work to determine the full circumstances, families and the community now grieve the sudden loss. May those who perished rest in peace, and may healing find those left behind.
