Two fight injuries after US 33 crash

LANCASTER - Just like any normal Tuesday, Marty Wyckoff and Corey Davis spent the day fixing cars at Allman's Complete Auto & Truck Center.

Just like any normal Tuesday, Lacey Dawes was there answering phones and handling routine business.

But it was anything but a normal Tuesday at the two-year-old auto repair shop. Its owner, William "Bill" Allman, was in a medically induced coma at Grant Medical Center, in critical condition and fighting for his life after being hit by a car on U.S. 33 Monday night.

Allman, 46, of Groveport, and Fairfield County Sheriff's Deputy Lyle Campbell, 34, of Stoutsville, were in the westbound lanes of U.S. 33 just east of Pickerington Road. Allman was driving a pickup truck when two cars ahead of him collided, and his truck hit the back of the car in front of him. No one was hurt, but he was angry that his new truck was damaged, Dawes, his step-daughter, said.

She drove by the crash soon after it happened and saw there was minimal damage; and called him soon after; she knew he was all right. It wasn't until hours later when Groveport police came to her house to tell her and her mother that there had been a second crash; this time, a driver had hit Allman and Campbell as they reviewed the scene.

"This shop is all he ever wanted in life," Dawes said, watching as Wyckoff worked first on a subcompact, then a pickup truck Tuesday afternoon. She refused to close the business. "This is what he would want. If this shop fails, I fail him."

Campbell is also at Grant Medical Center, and was listed in serious condition Tuesday. Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen said Campbell had a broken leg but was expected to recover.

Phalen visited the scene of the crash Monday night and spoke with Campbell at the hospital. Phalen said Campbell's leg had several breaks and that he was going into surgery Tuesday morning.

"It's actually amazing that he survived this," Phalen said. He said he expects Campbell to recover, but "it may be a long road back."

Phalen said Campbell has been with the sheriff's office for seven years. During that time he has served stints with the Street Crime Reduction and Apprehension Program and the Major Crimes Unit.

“Lyle’s been an exceptional deputy. He’s a hard worker, and I get compliments about him all the time," Phalen said, adding that he has a good work ethic and instincts, particularly for narcotics enforcement.

Allman, too, has a background as a first responder; he was a firefighter and EMT before working for other body shops. He decided to go out on his own because he felt bigger shops didn't do right by customers, Dawes said.

The business was in the news just last week after the staff provided free oil changes to veterans on Veterans Day, then chose the worst-looking vehicle. The business, in cooperation with Nice Auto Group, of Carroll, provided a Ford Expedition to that car's owner, Bob Comyack, a Navy veteran. Allman said he did it because he appreciates the sacrifices veterans have made.

Dawes said she hopes customers don't shy away because of the crash, because the work will still get done.

"We've been doing really good, and after Veterans Day, it's been really busy," she said. Allman had recently donated some jackets and coats to a homeless person that one of his employees, Davis, knows.

Phalen also met with Allman's family and prayed with them, Dawes said, a gesture she didn't expect.

Ohio Highway Patrol Lt. Shad Caplinger said the investigation is continuing into how the crash happened. It's not yet clear exactly where the two men were standing when they were hit by a sport utility vehicle driven by Robert McKinney, 68, of Houston, Texas.

Phalen said police officers at traffic scenes often face dangers from passing motorists, who are often distracted by all the flashing lights, especially at night. Monday's crash happened just before 7:30 p.m. in the westbound lanes of U.S. 33, just east of Pickerington Road.

“Any time a deputy’s on a traffic stop, they’re investigating an accident and directing traffic, it is dangerous," Phalen said.

jsabin@lancastereaglegazette.com

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