Pursuit in Darke County Ends in Crash; Teenage Girl Killed

PIQUA – The Piqua Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash.

The crash occurred yesterday, February 16, at approximately 8:41 p.m., on state Route 47 near mile marker 2 in Jackson Township, Darke County.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar, operated by Tarsem Singh, 33, Union City, was traveling westbound on state Route 47. At the time of the crash the Land Rover was actively fleeing and being pursued by the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.

The Land Rover traveled left of center and struck an oncoming 2016 Jeep Cherokee, operated by Roxana Casarez-Santiago, 35, Union City, Ind., that was traveling eastbound on state Route 47 head-on. After striking the Jeep, the Land Rover traveled off the left side of the roadway, overturned, and came to final rest back in the roadway.

Singh’s passenger, Ashlee Holmes, 17, Sidney, was ejected from the Land Rover and succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.

Singh was transported by air ambulance to Miami Valley Hospital with serious injuries.

Casarez-Santiago was transported by ground ambulance to Reid Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation by the Piqua Post.

Any questions regarding the events prior to the crash should be directed to the Darke County Sheriff’s Office.

(release submitted by Piqua Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol)