2 Marine reservists die in Indiana crash

[unhappycamper]

2 Marine reservists die in Indiana crash
By Bryan Mitchell - [e-mail]
Posted : Monday Dec 22, 2008 17:06:28 EST

Two Marine reservists died alongside two companions Sunday evening when their vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer outside South Bend, Ind., authorities said.

The Marines were identified as Lance Cpl. Rodney M. Echelbarger, of Holland, Ohio, and Lance Cpl. Kyle Sporleder, 20, of Sylvania, Ohio. Echelbarger’s age was not immediately available. Both served with the Mount Clemens, Mich.,-based Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 — Echelbarger as an engineer equipment operator and Sporleder as a combat engineer, according to Marine Forces Reserve.

Indiana authorities identified the two other victims as 23-year-old Aaron F. Esposito, of Novi, Mich., and 19-year-old Lauren Diefenthaler, of Ypsilanti, Mich.

The accident occurred about 8:15 p.m. when an eastbound 2001 Hyundai operated by Esposito left the Indiana Toll Road, crossed the median and collided head-on with a tractor-trailer traveling westbound, according to Indiana State Police Trooper Gretchen Deal. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the wreck.

Deal said patches of black ice on the highway and strong crosswinds probably factored into the wreck, which is still under investigation.


Article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/12/marine_autofatal_122208w/%2e