Jack Rowland, Brayden Sadler Obituary, Death – Two 18-year-olds tragically lost their lives just after midnight in a head-on collision in Providence Township, Ohio. The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Toledo Post responded to the accident, which occurred at approximately 12:06 a.m. on May 24, 2025, on Henry–Lucas County Road near South River Road in Lucas County.
Authorities identified the two victims as Brayden Sadler of Grand Rapids and Jack Rowland of Perrysburg. Sadler was riding a 2018 Kawasaki KLX140 dirt bike, heading northbound on Henry–Lucas County Road, while Rowland was operating a 2001 Honda TRX400EX all-terrain vehicle traveling southbound. According to investigators, Rowland was traveling in the wrong direction — southbound in the northbound lane — at the time of the crash. Sadler, meanwhile, was properly aligned in the northbound lane when the two off-road vehicles collided head-on.
The impact of the collision proved fatal for both riders. Emergency personnel arriving on the scene pronounced both Sadler and Rowland dead. Reports from the Ohio State Highway Patrol noted that neither teen was wearing a helmet, and neither vehicle was legally equipped for use on public roads. Dirt bikes and ATVs like the ones involved in the crash are generally intended for off-road environments and lack the necessary safety features and registration for legal roadway use.
Investigators also believe that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the fatal crash. The state patrol’s statement included that toxicology tests and further evidence are being gathered to determine if either rider was impaired at the time of the accident.
This tragic incident drew a significant emergency response. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Investigative Unit, and the Providence Township Fire Department. Their joint efforts helped secure the area, initiate the investigation, and handle the difficult task of recovering the bodies and notifying the families.
The accident has left two communities in mourning — Grand Rapids and Perrysburg — as family, friends, and classmates grieve the sudden loss of two young lives. Community members have already begun sharing memories and offering support to the grieving families through social media and local outreach.
The crash also underscores the dangers associated with operating off-road vehicles on public roads. While dirt bikes and ATVs offer recreational enjoyment, they are not built with the necessary lighting, mirrors, or structural safety features that are standard on highway-approved vehicles. The lack of helmets further increased the risk of fatal injuries in this case.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol emphasized that roadway safety requires strict adherence to traffic laws and safety regulations. Operating off-road vehicles on paved public roads, especially at night and potentially under the influence of alcohol, dramatically increases the risk of serious injury or death.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the events leading up to the crash, including gathering witness statements, reviewing potential surveillance footage, and awaiting results from toxicology screenings. Any findings will help clarify the circumstances and may contribute to future public awareness campaigns to prevent similar tragedies.
This collision follows a troubling pattern of fatal incidents involving young drivers and non-road-legal vehicles. Law enforcement and safety advocates continue to urge riders and their families to educate themselves on proper use, safety gear, and legal restrictions for all types of motorized vehicles.
As the community processes this heartbreaking loss, tributes have begun to emerge. Friends of Brayden Sadler described him as adventurous and spirited, with a love for outdoor activities and motorsports. Jack Rowland was remembered as kind and outgoing, known for his humor and willingness to help others.
Plans for memorial services have not yet been publicly announced, but community members are expected to come together to honor both young men in the coming days.
In the meantime, law enforcement agencies are reminding the public of the importance of vehicle safety, particularly when it comes to off-road equipment. Helmets, appropriate licensing, and adherence to roadway laws are not just technical requirements — they can be the difference between life and death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further updates will be released as more information becomes available. Anyone with additional details regarding the crash is encouraged to contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol or the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office.
This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the risks involved when safety regulations are ignored. As the families and communities mourn the loss of Brayden Sadler and Jack Rowland, authorities hope their story may help prevent future accidents and save lives.
