Dai’sha Wise, 28, and Speeding Driver Tragically Perish in Devastating High-Speed Collision at 4th Street NW and Wertz Avenue, Canton, as Authorities Investigate Circumstances Behind the Violent Nighttime Wreck That Claimed Two Lives

On a quiet Friday evening, the city of Canton, Ohio, was shaken by a catastrophic vehicle collision that claimed the lives of two individuals and sent waves of sorrow throughout the local community. Dai’sha Wise, just 28 years old, lost her life after a powerful impact involving a speeding Volkswagen Golf as she attempted to make a left turn onto 4th Street NW near Wertz Avenue. The violent crash, which occurred around 9:30 p.m., left both drivers fatally injured and initiated a full-scale investigation by the Canton Police Department.

The Victims

Dai’sha Wise, a vibrant young woman full of promise and beloved by those who knew her, had been driving her silver Nissan Altima and was in the process of turning left onto 4th Street NW, a commonly traveled intersection. Her movements were entirely routine—something countless drivers do daily. However, the normalcy of the situation was shattered in an instant when a dark-colored Volkswagen Golf, reportedly speeding at an extremely high rate, approached the intersection at a velocity that witnesses described as reckless and “shockingly fast.”

The driver of the Volkswagen, whose name had not been publicly released at the time of reporting, was a male described by witnesses as appearing to be in his late twenties or early thirties. This individual was later identified only by surname—Siple. He was pronounced deceased at the scene due to the severity of the crash. The force of the impact was so immense that it mangled both vehicles beyond recognition and left wreckage scattered across the roadway.

Sequence of Events

According to preliminary details provided by Canton Police and eyewitnesses on the scene, Dai’sha Wise had slowed and signaled before attempting her turn onto 4th Street NW from Wertz Avenue. The area is moderately lit with traffic signage, and Wise was reportedly following all traffic regulations. At that very moment, Siple’s Volkswagen Golf came barreling down the roadway, estimated by some at nearly double the posted speed limit. No brake lights were observed prior to the impact, leading authorities to believe that either there was no attempt to slow down or the reaction time was insufficient due to the high speed.

The resulting crash was described by bystanders as thunderous. The Volkswagen T-boned the Altima with such intensity that both vehicles spun off their original course, with one car partially mounting the curb. Windows shattered, airbags deployed, and metal twisted and tore apart under the extreme pressure of the crash. Within minutes, emergency services arrived on the scene, encountering what they later called one of the most severe two-vehicle crashes in the area this year.

Emergency Response and Hospitalization

Canton Fire Department and EMS responders worked swiftly, extracting both victims from their vehicles. Dai’sha Wise, though gravely injured, was still alive when medics reached her. They stabilized her at the scene and rushed her to Aultman Hospital, one of the region’s leading trauma centers. Despite the best efforts of emergency physicians and trauma surgeons, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival. The medical team cited extensive internal damage and multiple blunt force traumas as contributing factors.

Meanwhile, the driver of the Volkswagen was beyond medical assistance. Responders pronounced him dead at the scene, and his body was transported to the county coroner’s office for further examination and toxicology testing, as part of the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash.

Community Reaction

News of the crash spread rapidly throughout Canton and beyond, amplified by social media posts from witnesses and grieving family members. Dai’sha Wise’s name trended locally as friends and relatives shared tributes, photos, and memories of a young woman described as “gentle, strong, and full of life.” A makeshift memorial with flowers, candles, and handwritten notes now sits near the crash site, a solemn reminder of the fragility of life and the dangers that can unfold on even the most familiar roads.

Siple’s identity remains minimally disclosed, but some community members have expressed anger over the alleged speeding and possible reckless behavior that led to the tragedy. Others have noted the need to await full investigative findings before casting judgment, emphasizing that two families are grieving.

Investigation and Road Safety Concerns

The Canton Police Department’s Accident Reconstruction Unit is currently spearheading the investigation. Officers have gathered witness statements, reviewed nearby surveillance footage, and collected forensic data from the crash site. Among the primary focuses of the inquiry are:

• Speed: Initial indicators suggest that the Volkswagen Golf was traveling significantly above the posted limit.
• Impairment: Toxicology tests are underway to determine if either driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.
• Mechanical failure: Investigators are examining both vehicles for any sign of malfunction that may have contributed to the loss of control.
• Road conditions: Although weather was clear at the time of the crash, lighting and visibility at the intersection are also being assessed.

City officials have acknowledged the crash and are facing renewed calls from residents to evaluate road design and enforcement in the area. Some locals have pointed to previous incidents near the 4th Street NW and Wertz Avenue intersection and have demanded speed cameras, more signage, or traffic calming measures to be put in place.

Family Statements and Public Grieving

Dai’sha Wise’s family released a heartfelt statement through a local pastor, thanking the community for their support and asking for privacy as they mourn her loss. “Dai’sha was a daughter, a sister, a cousin, and a friend to many. Her light shone brightly and was taken far too soon. We are devastated beyond words,” the statement read.

While no official statement has yet come from Siple’s family, local grief counselors and faith leaders have reached out to both families offering condolences and support. Plans for a community vigil are underway, as many feel the need to gather, pray, and express solidarity in the face of such a sudden loss.

Legal and Policy Ramifications

This incident has renewed scrutiny on speeding-related fatalities in Ohio. According to data from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, speeding remains a leading factor in vehicle-related deaths across the state. Local lawmakers have expressed interest in revisiting traffic legislation to include stricter penalties for excessive speed violations and stronger enforcement in residential and mixed-use areas.

Legal analysts suggest that depending on the outcome of the toxicology report and speed analysis, the surviving family members of Dai’sha Wise could potentially have grounds for a civil lawsuit. Wrongful death claims in such cases often involve complex legal assessments, especially when one of the parties is deceased.

Moving Forward

This tragic event is a stark reminder of the unforeseen dangers that can strike without warning. While Canton mourns the loss of two lives—Dai’sha Wise, a young woman whose journey was just beginning, and the unnamed male driver who met an equally tragic end—the city must also confront the broader questions that linger: How can such accidents be prevented? What role does community infrastructure play in road safety? And what can be done to ensure that no more lives are lost to high-speed, reckless driving?

As the investigation continues, the memories of Dai’sha Wise and the other driver will undoubtedly fuel calls for change and safer roads. For now, two families mourn deeply, their pain reverberating through the community, and Canton stands in solemn reflection, reminded once again of how precious—and vulnerable—life on the road can be.

Tags: Dai’sha Wise, Canton crash, 4th Street NW accident, Wertz Avenue, fatal car crash Ohio, Canton Police, speeding accident, Ohio traffic fatalities, Canton community vigil