2 young brothers killed after teen driver runs stop sign and slams into family’s SUV, officials say

LEIPSIC, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) — Two young brothers were killed in a crash in Ohio last weekend when a 17-year-old driver ran a stop sign, authorities said.

Family members identified the brothers as Gus Niese, 10, and Archer Niese, 9.

According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened Saturday at the intersection of County Road 18 and County Road Y.

Investigators said a 17-year-old driving a truck failed to stop at a stop sign, hitting the family’s SUV.

The two brothers were in the SUV. The 9-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. The 10-year-old was flown to a hospital, where he died.

The boys’ 38-year-old father, Tyler Niese, was driving the SUV. He was taken to a hospital.

The 17-year-old driving the truck was treated for minor injuries and released.

The crash is being investigated by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said Tyler Niese works for the department as a corrections officer. The department said the loss of the children is heartbreaking and unimaginable for Tyler Niese and his wife, Kayla.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family pay for funeral expenses.

The Leipsic Local School District confirmed Gus and Archer were students in the district.

“The loss of a young life is never understood, but through the grief we discover that even in a few short years; a child has a way of impacting people in a way that leaves a lasting impression,” the district wrote in a Facebook post. “Gus and Archer will always be remembered by the way they made others feel included. This is a legacy we can all learn from. We don’t know what others are going through; but we certainly can treat them with kindness.”

An obituary said the brothers leave behind their parents and two younger sisters.