The Northmor community is reeling after a tragic crash claimed the life of 14-year-old freshman Bobby Singh on Wednesday afternoon in Morrow County, Ohio. Friends, family, classmates and teachers are struggling to make sense of a sudden loss that has left an entire town in deep grief.
The crash happened just before 3 p.m. on County Road 59 near County Road 56 in Congress Township, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Troopers say a 1999 Ford Ranger, driven by a 16-year-old Northmor junior, veered off the road and struck a tree for reasons that remain under investigation. Both teens were reported to be wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision, and alcohol or drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash.
Singh, who lived in Bellville, was a passenger in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. His parents received the heartbreaking news from emergency responders who rushed to the scene. The driver, identified as 16-year-old Landon Bishop of Galion, was seriously injured and taken by ambulance to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital where he remains under treatment.
For many in this rural part of Ohio, Bobby was more than just a name in a headline. He was a son, a friend, a classmate full of promise and easy smiles. Teachers describe him as kind and thoughtful, someone who lit up conversations with laughter. His sudden absence has left a void in classrooms, lunchrooms and living rooms across the Northmor area. Parents and students alike have shared memories of his kindness and eagerness to help others.
In a message shared with families, Northmor Local School District Superintendent Chad Redmon said the district is grieving with Bobby’s loved ones and offering support for students and staff. Counselors, grief specialists and trusted staff members will be available when classes resume after winter break on January 6, 2026, so students have safe spaces to talk about their feelings and find comfort together.
The superintendent emphasized that no community should ever have to bury one of its young people and urged neighbors to lean on one another in the days ahead. “Our thoughts, prayers and most sincere condolences are with the families and loved ones of the students during this incredibly difficult time,” he wrote.
As investigators continue to look into what caused the truck to leave the road, the people of Northmor and Bellville are holding vigils, sharing stories and coming together in grief. Posters, candles and flowers now mark places where friends walked and laughed just days before. Families are asking the public to keep Bobby’s family in their thoughts during this unbearable loss.
Officials say they will release more details as they become available. For now, a community honors a young life cut far too short and finds strength in shared sorrow, support and prayer.
