Ohio College Wrestler, 19, Dies in Car Crash: 'A Heartbreaking Start to 2025,’ Coach Says

Mar. 15, 2025

Joshua Taylor.Photo:Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home

Brucker-Kishler Funeral Home

Memorial services are set to take place this week for a sophomore Otterbein University wrestler who died from injuries he suffered in a car crash earlier this month.Joshua Taylor died on Thursday, Jan. 2, according toan obituarypublished online. He was 19 years old.The crash occurred in Licking County, Ohio, according toWBNSandThe Columbus Dispatch. Taylor’s coach, Brent Rastetter, told WBNS that Taylor was “on his way to work” at the time of the crash.“Josh enjoyed playing and watching sports, spending time with his friends, especially his girlfriend, and loved being with his family,” the obituary reads, adding that he graduated from Lakewood High School in 2023 after a “standout” career as a high school wrestler, earning more than 100 wins in his four years there.Taylor continued his wrestling career at Otterbein University, where he posted a 13-9 overall record in college and being named “the most improved wrestler in 2024,” according to his obituary.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“This is a post no coach ever wants to make,” Rastetterwrotein a memorial post on Facebook, announcing the sophomore’s death. “In a heartbreaking start to 2025 we have lost sophomore wrestling [family] member Josh Taylor to a fatal car accident today. Please keep his parents Melissa and Andy and Josh’s siblings in your thoughts during this very difficult time.”In an interview with WBNS, the coach said that Taylor always “showed a lot of grit when he was out on the mat.” He added: “He wasn’t the best wrestler every time he was out there, but he definitely showed a lot of passion every time he wrestled.”Taylor’s teammates also mourned his death this week. Otterbein teammate Cale Callahan told WBNS he was “shocked” after hearing the news about Taylor’s death. “He had probably one of the best mullets I ever saw when I first met him, so I knew instantly this guy was a character… really goofy, he was a funny guy, but he was a really kindhearted person,” Callahan said. “He wanted the best for everyone.“TheColumbus Dispatchreported that Taylor’s former high school also held memorial services this week, honoring the school’s former standout athlete.

Memorial services are set to take place this week for a sophomore Otterbein University wrestler who died from injuries he suffered in a car crash earlier this month.

Joshua Taylor died on Thursday, Jan. 2, according toan obituarypublished online. He was 19 years old.

The crash occurred in Licking County, Ohio, according toWBNSandThe Columbus Dispatch. Taylor’s coach, Brent Rastetter, told WBNS that Taylor was “on his way to work” at the time of the crash.

“Josh enjoyed playing and watching sports, spending time with his friends, especially his girlfriend, and loved being with his family,” the obituary reads, adding that he graduated from Lakewood High School in 2023 after a “standout” career as a high school wrestler, earning more than 100 wins in his four years there.

Taylor continued his wrestling career at Otterbein University, where he posted a 13-9 overall record in college and being named “the most improved wrestler in 2024,” according to his obituary.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“This is a post no coach ever wants to make,” Rastetterwrotein a memorial post on Facebook, announcing the sophomore’s death. “In a heartbreaking start to 2025 we have lost sophomore wrestling [family] member Josh Taylor to a fatal car accident today. Please keep his parents Melissa and Andy and Josh’s siblings in your thoughts during this very difficult time.”

In an interview with WBNS, the coach said that Taylor always “showed a lot of grit when he was out on the mat.” He added: “He wasn’t the best wrestler every time he was out there, but he definitely showed a lot of passion every time he wrestled.”

Taylor’s teammates also mourned his death this week. Otterbein teammate Cale Callahan told WBNS he was “shocked” after hearing the news about Taylor’s death. “He had probably one of the best mullets I ever saw when I first met him, so I knew instantly this guy was a character… really goofy, he was a funny guy, but he was a really kindhearted person,” Callahan said. “He wanted the best for everyone.”

TheColumbus Dispatchreported that Taylor’s former high school also held memorial services this week, honoring the school’s former standout athlete.

source: people.com