Bellevue man, grandson killed in crash

YORK TWP. — A man and his 7-year-old grandson were killed when their car was hit from behind by a semi truck Wednesday. The crash occurred at U.S. 20 and Township Road 302 in York Township at about 5:45 p.m., according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. A 2006 Ford Focus driven by Mark Whaley, 50, of Bellevue, was stopped at a red light at the intersection when the vehicle was rear-ended by a 2020 Mack Pinnacle semi truck driven by Mark Wagner, 67, of Saxsonburg, Pennsylvania, an OSHP new release stated. The impact caused both vehicles to leave the road and hit a large utility pole. The state patrol said there was heavy rain at the time of the crash. Whaley and his grandson — identified by family members on social media as PJ Gaston — both suffered fatal injuries while Wagner suffered minor injuries. The crash remains under investigation. Alcohol and drug impairment don't appear to be factors in the crash, the state patrol said. On Facebook, Keith Whaley, Mark's brother, confirmed his relatives lost their lives in the crash and made a plea to others. "Take time to hold your loved ones close and tell them you love them because in a blink of an eye they could be gone," Keith Whaley wrote. "I want to thank the men and women of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Bellevue Police Department and the EMS for the services and outstanding help to our family during our difficult time." Both Mark Whaley and his grandson were involved in the local racing community. "The racing community is devastated with the loss of driver, crewman, track official and fan, #34 Mark Whaley and his grandson #99 kid kart driver, PJ Gaston," wrote William Kit Henry II, who is organizing a GoFundMe page to help the family with funeral expenses. "Those of us who were honored to know Mark knew that he had a passion for racing and took pride in his work on and off the track. Nothing compared to his pride that he had for his up-and-coming wheelman, PJ. The two were inseparable and a force to be reckoned with on the track." As of Thursday morning, the page had generated more than $3,000 in donations toward its $12,000 goal.