Folks in the Ontario and Mansfield communities are dealing with some incredibly heavy hearts right now. A dark cloud has settled over the neighborhood after a regular bike ride turned into an absolute nightmare. A local man who spent his entire life helping others is suddenly gone, and everyone is trying to process the shock.
Raymond Bernotas was 69 years old and a total staple around here. He spent four decades working as a dentist right in Mansfield. Over those forty years, he did a lot more than just fix teeth. He built real relationships, earned the deep respect of his patients, and became a friendly face everyone knew and trusted.
Everything changed on a Thursday, specifically June 11. Dr. Bernotas was out riding his bicycle on Park Avenue West in Ontario, Ohio. He was just trying to cross the street when things went completely wrong, and he collided with a passing SUV.
The driver of the SUV was Michael Horning, an 81-year-old resident from nearby Mansfield. According to the Ontario Police Department, Horning was traveling westbound on the roadway when the crash occurred. Preliminary reports from the scene suggest that Dr. Bernotas was attempting to cross the road in a prohibited area.
Emergency responders got to the scene fast and rushed Dr. Bernotas over to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. Because his injuries were so severe, medical teams decided he needed more specialized care. They quickly transferred him down to the Grant Medical Center in Columbus.
Doctors and nurses did absolutely everything they could to pull him through. Despite their round-the-clock efforts and dedicated medical care, the damage was just too much. Dr. Bernotas ultimately passed away from the injuries he sustained in the crash.
Right now, the Ontario Police Department is still digging into the details of what happened. Investigators have stated that no criminal charges have been filed against the driver at this time. The community is left mourning a truly kind professional, a great friend, and a family man whose absence will be deeply felt for a very long time.
