Grant Hale Obituary, Accident Death – Minerva High School Senior and Marching Band Member Killed in Route 30 Crash

Grant Hale, a 17-year-old senior at Minerva High School in Ohio, died Thursday afternoon after a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Route 30 in Perry Township, leaving the Minerva Local Schools community mourning the loss of a student and young member of the community.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash happened at approximately 12:19 p.m. on September 10 near milepost 11. Hale was driving a 2013 Ford Fusion eastbound when the vehicle left the left side of the roadway, crossed the grassy median, and entered the westbound lanes.

The Ford collided with a 2018 Mack truck driven by 75-year-old Wayne D. Scharff of Canton. Both vehicles then left the roadway and came to rest in a wooded area.

Hale suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Stark County Coroner’s Office. Scharff sustained minor injuries and was transported to Aultman Hospital by Perry Township EMS.

Hale was a senior at Minerva High School and a member of the school’s marching band. He also attended R.G. Drage Career Technical Center, where he was studying precision machining.

Minerva Local Schools Superintendent Mark Scott announced Hale’s death Thursday, expressing the district’s deep sadness and extending condolences to his family and friends. Following the crash, the district activated its Crisis Response Team to provide additional support to students and staff.

Counselors, mental health specialists, and community resources are being made available to members of the school community as they process the sudden loss of a classmate and friend.

Multiple emergency agencies responded to the crash, including the Perry Township police and fire departments, Stark County Sheriff’s Office, Stark County Coroner’s Office, Canton Fire Department, Ohio Department of Transportation, Canton Towing, and Patriot Towing.

Hale’s death has left classmates, teachers, fellow marching band members, and friends facing the loss of a young life that ended unexpectedly. As the Minerva community mourns, school officials are asking people to respect his family’s privacy during this difficult time.

Grant Hale will be remembered by the Minerva community as a student, marching band member, and young person whose life was cut tragically short.