Man killed in Butler County crash was longtime LCNB employee, Ohio Sauerkraut Festival official

UPDATE @ 5:21 p.m.: Lonnie Shear, the Waynesville resident who was killed Saturday in a crash in Lemon Twp., Butler County, was a longtime Lebanon Citizens National Bank employee.

Shear, 70, also was a local leader involved in community events, including the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival.

“Lonnie was pretty much Mr. Waynesville,” said Eric Meilstrup, bank president of what is now known as LCNB Bank.

EARLIER REPORT

A Waynesville man was killed Saturday in a three-vehicle crash in Lemon Twp., according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

Lonnie D. Schear, 70, died at the crash that occurred about 5:30 p.m. on Oxford State Road near Radabaugh Road, according to the Butler County Coroner’s Office.

A passenger in Schear’s vehicle, Connie Schear, 69, was injured and taken by medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.

MORE: Security remains at Middletown apartments where explosion happened

According to the sheriff’s office preliminary report, a vehicle driven by Richard B. Latino, 36, of Trenton, went left of center while traveling east on Ohio 73 (Oxford State) and collided head-on into Schear’s vehicle that was westbound on Oxford State.

Schear’s vehicle spun sideways and was struck by a third westbound vehicle driven by Janis Bergeron, 39, of Oxford.

MORE: Multiple arrests made at Butler County OVI checkpoint

Latino was taken by medical helicopter to University of Cincinnati Hospital. Bergeron was taken by ambulance to an area hospital.

The crash remains under investigation by the BCSO’s serious crash investigation team.

About the Authors