Landen Comer, Nathan Vogelsang mourned: Young men die in head-on crash
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
A community is left mourning the lives of two young men, Landen Comer, 19, Osgood, and Nathan Vogelsang, 24, Dillsboro, after they were killed in a head-on crash last Tuesday, November 26.
As the news began to travel, many reached out to the Comer and Vogelsang families when they heard about the collision that occurred before 3:00 p.m. on US 421 just north of Versailles.
According to information from Sgt. Stephen Wheeles of the Indiana State Police – Versailles Post, the crash happened when a 2001 Ford F-450 dump truck, being driven by Vogelsang, was going southbound on US 421 near County Road 100 North and crossed into the path of a northbound semi pulling a Mack box trailer being driven by Oleh Hrudnenko, 34, of Buffalo, Illinois. The semi driver only had minor injuries.
Both Vogelsang, and his passenger, Comer, were killed in the crash. They were both employed with Goodwin Landscaping in Dillsboro, where they will be sorely missed. Jake Goodwin said, “Their hard work, kindness, and bright spirits left a lasting impact on all who knew them. Our family will forever have voids in our hearts for them.”
Comer was a firefighter (#123) with the Holton Fire Department with hopes to become a career firefighter. He started with the department in 2020 where he was a Cadet Fireman. He worked hard to complete his mandatory fire certification along with being a State Certified EMR. “Landen had a huge impact with the fire department with dedicating his time serving the citizens of Otter Creek and surrounding communities,” the fire department shared. They were proud of him, and as a young man, he had accomplished much with earning certifications. Darrell Franklin, long-time firefighter for the department, told the Osgood Journal, “He was a very good upcoming fire member. Full of laughter, full of life. He enjoyed being on the fire department.”
It was evident at the funeral service on Sunday, December 1 that his brothers at the fire department cared deeply for him as well. His father, Dale Comer, is the fire chief. A procession left the Stratton-Karsteter Funeral Home at noon, carrying Comer to the Hopewell Baptist Church. It was led by the Holton Town Marshal Ron Buchanan with the hearse being surrounded by three fire trucks. At Hopewell, the fire community came together with over 30 different departments showing up in support of their fallen brother.
Vogelsang, who had recently announced his engagement, was another bright up-coming citizen. He was a graduate of Milan High School, where he was known for his kindness and big heart. He loved animals and helping those who were in need. He will be laid to rest today, December 3, after services officiated by Doug Norman, pastor at The Bridge of Hope.
Editor’s Note: Full obituaries for both men can be found on page two of today’s paper.
