UPDATE: Deceased victim identified after vehicle crashed into pole in Preble County

One person is dead after a vehicle crashed into a pole on state Route 122 in Gratis Township, Preble County Friday evening.

The person was identified as Aaron Whitesell, 27, from New Paris, Ohio, according to a press release from Ohio State Highway Patrol.

According to Ohio State Highway Patrol dispatchers, the crash was reported at 7:47 p.m. just north of the intersection of Route 122 and Greenbush Road.

They received a call about a possible injury crash with a car on it’s side and with power lines down, the release said.

A witness said prior to the crash the car appeared to be traveling at a high rate of speed, the release said.

The power lines were wrapped around the vehicle, Gratis Fire and EMS said.

Dispatchers said there was only one person was in the vehicle.

Whitesell was extricated from the car around 8:29 p.m., the release said, where CareFlight was called to scene.

The driver of the vehicle succumbed to his injuries prior to being loaded for transport.

The crash is under investigation by OSHP.

We will update this story with any new information.

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