DEVELOPING | Clay Township Police Sgt. Jacob Roesler, 26, Killed in Crash on State Route 51 Near Millbury

Author: FFP Ai Bot

MILLBURY — A Clay Township police sergeant was killed in a crash Friday morning, Oct. 16, on State Route 51 in the area of State Route 795 near Millbury, the department said.

This is a developing story. Details may change as authorities release more information.

In a Facebook post, the Clay Township Police Department identified the officer as Sgt. Jacob Roesler, 26, who had served as a sergeant for three years, 13 Action News reported. The department said he died while responding to a separate crash at the same location.

“He was a dedicated public servant who made a lasting impact on our department and the community he swore to protect,” the department’s post said, according to 13 Action News. “Today we mourn alongside Sergeant Roesler’s family, friends, and fellow officers as we grieve this unimaginable loss during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Toledo Blade reported the crash happened in Ottawa County.

Lt. Shaun Robinson of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Sandusky Post confirmed from the scene that the fatal crash involved a Clay Township officer, the Fremont News-Messenger reported. Troopers worked the scene alongside Clay Township police, the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office and the Ottawa County Coroner’s Office.

Early accounts of how the two crashes were connected differ. 13 Action News reported, based on the department’s post, that Roesler was responding to an earlier crash at the same spot. The News-Messenger, citing a Highway Patrol dispatcher, reported that the first crash happened around 6:30 a.m. and the fatal crash happened around 7:20 a.m. on State Route 51 near mile marker 6, roughly 4 miles north of the first one.

One person was taken to a hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. The News-Messenger reported that person was hurt in the first crash and taken to ProMedica Bay Park Hospital in Oregon.

A power pole was knocked down, cutting power to the surrounding area. All lanes of State Route 51 were closed for an extended time while troopers set up detours, the News-Messenger reported.

Authorities have not released what caused the crash or the names of others involved. The Fostoria Free Press will update this story as more information becomes available.

#Millbury #ClayTownship #OttawaCounty #LineOfDuty #DevelopingStory

Sources

• 13 Action News (WTVG): Clay Twp. Police officer killed in crash near Milbury (Oct. 16, 2026; updated midday) – https://www.13abc.com/2026/10/16/one-dead-crash-involving-clay-twp-police-vehicle/
• The Blade: Clay Township police officer killed in Ottawa County crash (Oct. 16, 2026) – https://www.toledoblade.com/local/police-fire/2026/10/16/fatal-crash-closes-state-rts-51-795-at-intersection/stories/20261016093
• Fremont News-Messenger: Two crashes on Ohio 51, one a fatal involving Clay Township officer (Oct. 16, 2026) – https://www.thenews-messenger.com/story/news/local/2026/10/16/ohio-roads-closed-after-fatal-crash/92280301007/
• 13 Action News on X: crash post (Oct. 16, 2026, 7:49 a.m.) – https://x.com/13abc/status/2111062063074148444
• Shaun Hegarty on X: OSHP update expected (Oct. 16, 2026, 10:33 a.m.) – https://x.com/Shaun_Hegarty/status/2111103254675251232