Allen East second grader involved in Monday's fatal accident
An Allen East student died in a traffic accident at the intersection of Lawrence Road and Clum Road at 5:50 p.m. Monday.
Gavin Reed, 8, was a second grader at Allen East Elementary School.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a 2013 Ford F-150 pickup driven by Richard J. Ortiz, 31, of Flatwoods, Kentucky, travelled southbound on Lawrence Road. A 2001 Ford Taurus, driven by Lisa M. Alexander, 29, of Harrod, was traveling eastbound on Clum Road, with her son, Reed, as a backseat passenger.
The driver of the pickup failed to yield to Alexander’s vehicle, striking it in the left side. After impact, Alexander’s car traveled off the southeast side of the road and struck several tombstones in Ridge Cemetery.
Ortiz was transported to Lima Memorial Health System for minor injuries. Alexander was transported to LMHS for serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Reed was also transported to LMHS, where he later died.
A mental health team from the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize and Hardin Counties is helping the pupils at the school through their grief.
Stories Posted This Week
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Monday, September 28, 2026
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Friday, September 25, 2026
- Bluffton Icon headlines, Sept. 25
- Clay, community, and the classroom
- Freshman Rister just misses qualification for girls golf districts
- Ada boys golf 4th at sectionals; Rister, Shook make districts
- Send October 2026 calendar events to the Icon
- Bulldogs and Black Knights team up to Volley for a Cure
- Cursive Ohio charity ride donates $3,150 to Ohio ArgAbility
- ONU Homecoming and Reunion Weekend 2026
- Ohio Northern recognizes rising stars, proven leaders