Wapakoneta Post Investigates Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash That Claimed Lives of Two Minster Teens
WAPAKONETA — The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Wapakoneta Post is investigating a tragic single-vehicle crash that claimed the lives of two Minster teenagers in the early morning hours of Monday, September 1, 2025.
Troopers confirmed the victims as 18-year-old Carter Dirksen and 18-year-old Connor Collins, both residents of Minster. According to preliminary reports, the crash occurred shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Glynwood Road, just west of St. Marys.
Investigators said the vehicle, a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu, was traveling eastbound when it went off the right side of the roadway. The car struck a utility pole before overturning. Emergency personnel from the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, St. Marys Fire Department, and St. Marys Township EMS responded to the scene. Both teens were pronounced dead at the site of the crash.
The Highway Patrol stated that seat belt usage, speed, and possible impairment remain under investigation. No other vehicles were involved.
News of the accident has shaken the close-knit Minster community, where both Dirksen and Collins recently graduated from Minster High School. Friends and classmates remember them as bright young men with promising futures. Social media has filled with messages of grief and support for their families.
“This is an unimaginable loss for our town,” said one community member. “Carter and Connor were loved by so many, and our hearts break for their families.”
School officials at Minster Local Schools have announced that grief counselors will be available throughout the week to support students and staff coping with the tragedy. A candlelight vigil is also being organized by classmates for later this week at the high school football field.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities are reminding motorists, especially young drivers, about the importance of roadway safety and taking precautions during nighttime travel.
Funeral arrangements for both Dirksen and Collins will be announced by their families in the coming days.
