PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — A Western Local Schools teacher was killed when his vehicle drove off the road and crashed in Pike County early Friday morning.
The crash took place around 1:35 a.m. on County Road 37, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Officials said 49-year-old John D. Lightle was driving a 2009 Toyota Tacoma westbound on CR-37 when he failed to make a curve near State Route 772 and drove off the right side of the road.
The Toyota hit a culvert and then a driveway pole and a tree, OSHP said in a release. Lightle was pronounced dead at the scene.
Prior to beginning his 25-year teaching career, Lightle graduated from Western High School in 1991. He went on to earn a degree at Ohio University before returning to teach at Western Elementary in 1998, according to the district’s Superintendent Brock Brewster. The Superintendent has known Lightle for more than 40 years; the two met playing tee-ball as kids.
Brewster said Lightle switched to teaching at the high school in 2008, and was known by many as the “mayor” of the junior high wing for his ability to navigate situations with logic.
“Every student who has come through the system at Western for the past 24 years had Mr. Lightle as a teacher, either in elementary or junior high,” said Brewster.
When he wasn’t teaching, Brewster said Lightle spent his time coaching everything from track to basketball.
“He gave them all those things in seventh-grade social studies that they were early weren't supposed to get based on Ohio standards and they appreciated the fact that he would stop what he was doing and have a real conversation about Ukraine,” the Superintendent said.
Classes were canceled Friday in the district when administrators learned about Lightle’s sudden death.
“Lots and lots of students and adults impacted in a 25 year career,” Brewster said in part, adding counseling services will be available for students when classes resume.
Students are asked to wear brown or green in Lightle’s honor, for his love of the Browns and the district.
The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.