WAPAKONETA – The Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash involving a utility task vehicle (UTV). The crash occurred on Friday, Oct. 13, at approximately 10:52 a.m. on Pusheta Road just west of Wapakoneta Freyburg Road in Pusheta Township, Auglaize County.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 2019 Polaris Razor UTV, operated by James Benshoff, 45, Wapakoneta, was traveling west on Pusheta Road and traveled off the right side of the roadway. After traveling off the roadway, the Polaris struck a ditch and overturned. Benshoff and his passenger, Michael Converse, 42, Wapakoneta, were both ejected from the Polaris.
Benshoff and Converse were both transported by ground ambulance to Lima Memorial Main Campus with life-threatening injuries.
On Oct. 17, Converse died of his injuries as a result of the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, Wapakoneta Fire-EMS, St. Johns Volunteer Fire & Rescue and Miller’s Towing.
The crash remains under investigation by the Wapakoneta Post.
This is the second fatal crash Benshoff has been involved in.
On April 1, 2019, Benshoff was the driver in a crash which claimed the life of his passenger, Benjamin Stoll, 29, of Lima. Benshoff was driving an International straight truck on Pusheta Road, when the vehicle drifted off the right side of the road, sliding down the embankment.
Benshoff tried to correct the slide but was unsuccessful. The truck rolled over and came to rest on its top, trapping both Benshoff and Stoll in the vehicle. Stoll was pronounced dead at the scene. Benshoff was transported to Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima.
