2 die, 2 injured in Marion crash

MARION, Ohio (AP) – Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers say alcohol use is suspected of playing a role in an accident early Sunday morning that left two men dead and two others suffering incapacitating injuries.

The two-vehicle accident took place around 1:30 a.m. Sunday at State Route 203 and Keener Road near Marion, troopers said.

Killed were driver Eric Richie, 26, and a passenger in his 1998 Honda CRV, Jarred Bullion, 24. Another passenger, Quinton Owens, 19, was injured.

Richie was southbound on 203 when a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Robert Persinger Jr., 31, failed to stop for a stop sign, striking Richie’s vehicle.

Persinger and Owens were both being treated at Grant Medical Center Hospital in Columbus.

All four men were from Marion. None was wearing a seatbelt.