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Accident occurs on road residents say is dangerous
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Monday, Aug 17, 2009
SPRINGFIELD TWP: Just hours before two 12-year-olds and one of their fathers died in a crash Saturday night, the Akron boys played football together.
Luke Caplinger and Ryland Reel were best friends who palled around at Hyre Middle School, where they would have started seventh grade next week.
''They had wonderful things ahead of them,'' said Cynthia Wilhite, Hyre's principal. ''We are deeply saddened by this loss. The Greater Akron community will embrace the family and try to get them through this.''
Wilhite said counseling will be provided to the boys' 22 Ellet football teammates, who are scheduled to practice this evening.
''The boys are taking it hard — having a rough time with it,'' she said.
Ryland, Luke and Luke's father, Keith Caplinger, 36, were pronounced dead at the scene of the two-vehicle crash, which happened about 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Keith Caplinger was driving his Subaru Legacy east on Killian Road, just east of the Myersville Road intersection, when he lost control and drove left of center, striking a van head on, according to the Canton post of the State Highway Patrol.
The 16-year-old driver of the Chevrolet Express full-size van was taken to Akron Children's Hospital for treatment.
A trooper at the scene Sunday afternoon was taking measurements. Skid marks could be seen on the street, along
with bits of broken glass and debris along the roadway.
''We are still trying to determine what made him go left of center,'' said patrol Sgt. Ray Durant. ''We can tell he went out of control.''
The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office will do an autopsy this morning. The families have not yet chosen funeral homes.
The crash was so loud that several residents of the area heard it and went outside to see what had happened.
Mary and Rodney Halsey were in the living room of their Killian Road home when they heard a loud boom. Rodney Halsey drove over and saw smoke billowing up and the body of one of the victims.
The Halseys, who have two young boys, are sympathetic to the families. They also are concerned because they say there have been at least eight crashes on this part of Killian Road in the past six years.
Rodney Halsey has a nickname for this stretch of road, which has a crest and goes from passing to no passing: ''Death row.''
''It can happen anywhere, but this road's bad,'' he said.
Wilhite said Luke and Ryland were good students who were well liked by the staff. She said she saw them often together at lunch or just walking down the hallways.
''They were wonderful boys from great families,'' she said.
Though school starts Aug. 26, Hyre will have an orientation this Thursday. Wilhite said it will be difficult, especially for the other seventh-graders.
Several of Luke's MySpace friends had posted condolences by Sunday evening. ''I'll never forget you,'' one wrote.
''I will always looove you! ALWAYS. We will neeever forget you,'' a girl wrote.
On Luke's page, he lists Ryland among his best friends and has a picture of Ryland playing baseball.
''hey im luke,'' he wrote on his page. ''i live in ellet. i play football . . . when i grow up im goin 2 the marines. and thats it for now i like 2 talk so hit me up.''
If Luke had joined the Marines, he would have followed in his father's footsteps. Keith Caplinger, a 1991 graduate of Garfield High School, completed boot camp for the Marines in March 1992.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.
com.
SPRINGFIELD TWP: Just hours before two 12-year-olds and one of their fathers died in a crash Saturday night, the Akron boys played football together.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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tallmadge, oh
Posted 03:07 AM, 08/17/2009
Rest in Peace Keith Luke and Rylan are prayers are with your family and friends.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:27 AM, 08/17/2009
A terrible tragedy. My sympathies to the families.
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:31 AM, 08/17/2009
RIP!!
naples, fl
Posted 07:52 AM, 08/17/2009
Very sad sorry story. God must of had a better purpose in heaven.
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 08:43 AM, 08/17/2009
I am so sorry for the families. May God be with you at this difficult time.
RichRodforOH2010.com, .
Posted 08:52 AM, 08/17/2009
As an Ellet man, sympathies all around. God bless all in this trying time.
Cleveland, OH
Posted 10:53 AM, 08/17/2009
Heartbreaking story.
Why don't journalists feel the need to ask "Were seatbelts worn?"
All they do these days is report what the police tell them.
akron, oh
Posted 11:04 AM, 08/17/2009
my 2 Boys went to school with Luke an Ryland an played BaseBall an footBall with them an i know Rylands MoM an Dad we wolched there game to gether they will be missed so mutch an god Bless an hold the families in yr arms Ryland was a real good in his football an baseball im still crying over this an will be for a wyll an an Rylands Mom step dad an his Brother are one of the best ppl a Kid could have god Bless Ryland an Luke an there families RIP
Posted 11:42 AM, 08/17/2009
My condolences to the families. I'm very sorry for your losses.
akron, oh
Posted 11:49 AM, 08/17/2009
jWWaright hey dud i do know these Boy this one was realy bad man if you seen the car you dont have to ask if they had seet belts on but im sher they did GOD BLESS YOU RYLAND AND LUKE gone so young and my 2 Boys an me will never forget you 2 Boys will be mist on the football feild so mutch. will never for get GOD BLESS RIP BOYS
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 12:35 PM, 08/17/2009
I went to school with Luke and Ryland. I didnt know them personally, but i have seen them around in the halls. r.i.p/. ):
akron, oh
Posted 12:42 PM, 08/17/2009
sympathies to the families and friends
AKRON, OH
Posted 01:32 PM, 08/17/2009
I live a couple blocks from there. That road is terrible. Twists, bad lighting, and long stretch of road (leading to many speeding). My prayers are with these families.
Posted 02:28 PM, 08/17/2009
i went to school with both of them. i really only got to know ryland though. we had just talked the other day and he said hed always be there when i needed a friend
never letting go<33
Akron, OH
Posted 02:39 PM, 08/17/2009
My thoughts and prayers are with both families at this very difficult time. I am so sorry for your losses.
tallmadge, oh
Posted 03:37 PM, 08/17/2009
The Tallmadge Youth Football Players,Cheerleaders and familys all have the familys in are prayers. Luke and Ryland RIP little angles your in good hands now.
akron, oh
Posted 05:18 PM, 08/17/2009
not to add to the families problems, but for the general public and all--don't go putting up all the teddy bears and other items--send them to Children's Hosp. or a local nursing home,or the money you were going to spend donate to a local food bank, or other worthy causes in their names.
not akron, oh
Posted 08:57 PM, 08/17/2009
These were two fine young men I had known personally. Mr. Caplinger was a hard working provider for his family - they will be missed by all who knew them.
Go Raiders - dedicate this season to your friends and they will guide you from above!
Tallmadge, oh
Posted 09:23 AM, 08/18/2009
Momof2.. these kids need a way to express there feelings and if this is how they choose to do it then we should support them!! Most children have never faced a tragedy like this..and have no place else to turn to.. i think this is a very healthy way for these kids to mourn the loss of a team mate class mate frield. there is no right way... this is a way to come together for them... God bless the entire Ellet Youth football community and the families.... Tallmadge Youth Football Prays for all of you!!! Im glad you all have a place to go and be together!! Stick together and mourn together and maybe even laugh together... They are in a better place now. God Bless you all!
Akron, OH
Posted 11:00 AM, 08/18/2009
My hearts and prayer go out to both families Luke was a great kid I have a special needs child and Luke was very protective over him and had a very caring relationship with my son !! Thank you Luke you will never be forgotten. All of you rest in peace.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 03:22 PM, 08/18/2009
My heart is breaking for these families. You are all in my prayers. My sister's family lives right by the accident and they were the first on the scene. My niece was the one who made the 911 call. This was a horrible horrible accident. There are a lot of details that trust me, should not be released to the public about accidents and the conditions of the vehicle and victims. Especially if a young child could hear them or see them. The reporter did a nice job keeping to the facts and not going into the gruesome (trust me on that one) details. God Bless and Keep the families.
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 08:43 PM, 08/18/2009
To all involved or touched in any way by this tragedy...You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers!!
tallmadge, oh
Posted 12:58 AM, 08/22/2009
Are prayers are with there family in this time of need. RIP Kevin Luke and Ryland you are angles in heaven now.
