A member of the Northeast Ohio Disciples minor league football team was killed Friday morning when he turned into the path of a dump truck on State Route 303 in Shalersville.
Walter L. White, 28, of Windham, would have played in his Warren-based team's final home game of the season Saturday.
Deryck Toles, the team's owner, said White was a starting lineman.
"We want to send our love and respect to his family," he said. "This is a huge blow to us. He always worked so hard and was a great person."
Two others were also injured in the crash, which happened about a half a mile east of State Route 44 at about 8:49 a.m.
According to reports, White was driving a 2000 Honda Civic west on State Route 303 with passenger Gerald Dowling, 18, of Garretsville. John M. McMillion, 37, of Struthers, was driving a dump truck -- loaded with 24 tons of sand -- east on State Route 303.
White traveled left of center into McMillion's path, said reports, and the two vehicles collided head-on.
White was pronounced dead at the scene. McMillion was taken to Robinson Memorial Hospital where he is in stable condition. Dowling was taken by medical helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center, where he is also in stable condition.
It's unknown if alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash, said reports. The crash remains under investigation.
Kick-off for the Disciples' game will be 7 p.m. at Warren's Mollenkopf Stadium. If they win Saturday and again on the road next week, they'll make the playoffs in the Heartland Football League.
