Two Minster Teens Identified as Victims in Fatal Auglaize County Crash
AUGLAIZE COUNTY, OH — The Ohio State Highway Patrol has released the identities of two young men who tragically lost their lives in a fiery crash early Monday morning on State Route 362.
According to investigators with the Wapakoneta Post of the OSHP, the victims have been identified as 18-year-old Carter Dirksen, who was driving the vehicle, and 18-year-old Connor Collins, who was his passenger. Both teens were from Minster, a close-knit community now mourning the devastating loss of two of its own.
Troopers reported that the crash occurred when Dirksen, operating a BMW, failed to navigate a curve on SR 362. The vehicle veered off the right side of the road before colliding with a tree. The impact caused the car to catch fire, leaving little chance for escape. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but tragically, both Dirksen and Collins succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash, analyzing factors such as speed, roadway conditions, and any possible contributing circumstances. At this time, no further details have been released, but authorities emphasized the importance of safe driving, especially for younger motorists who may lack years of road experience.
The loss of Dirksen and Collins has sent shockwaves through Minster, a town where many residents know each other by name. Friends, classmates, and neighbors have begun to share tributes online, remembering the two as kind, energetic, and full of promise. Both had recently stepped into adulthood and were seen as bright futures in the making.
Local schools and community organizations are expected to provide grief support and counseling resources for those affected by the tragedy. Vigils and memorial gatherings are also being discussed as the community looks for ways to honor and remember Carter and Connor.
In a statement, OSHP officials reminded drivers to exercise extra caution, particularly when traveling on rural roads with sharp curves and limited visibility. “Every life lost on our highways is one too many,” the patrol said, noting that this incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a routine drive can turn fatal.
Funeral arrangements for both young men will be announced by their families in the coming days. For now, Minster grieves together, holding close the memories of two lives lost far too soon.