Additional eyewitnesses step forward regarding injury of retired BVFD firefighter Matt Robenstine
October 12, 2022 at 1:47 p.m.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, Brookville resident and retired Brookville Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) firefighter who served the community for several year, Matt Robenstine, was seriously injured at the BVFD Reverse Raffle event.
An article regarding Robenstine and the injuries he received due to alleged battery by Brookville resident Tyler Wilson were published in the Oct. 5 edition of the Brookville American/Democrat. After the article was printed, several other community members in closer proximity (including several members of the BVFD) to Robenstine stepped forward to clarify information given by the eyewitnesses interviewed for last week's article in the Brookville Democrat/American. They felt it was implanted in the article Robenstine was in some way at fault.
Karis Troyer and her husband attended the festival with Robenstine and other friends. Karis stated she was about 15 feet away when the incident occurred, stressing there was no "altercation" between Robenstine and Wilson.
"It was seriously so senseless," Troyer said. "There was no altercation. None. I don't know who witnessed an altercation, but it's simply not true.
“He was cold-cocked and hit so hard that he was unconscious and fell backward onto concrete."
Troyer also clarified where Robenstine was injured.
"He didn't fall off of a retaining wall. He wasn't out on the hill. He was inside of the fireman's festival orange snow fence in plain view of a hundred people. Matt was viciously, needlessly attacked," Troyer continued. "I witnessed it. That's the truth. It was horrifying to see and then terrifying watching them try to revive and then stabilize him."
Wilson was arrested at 12:31 a.m. for Battery (L5), Public Disorderly Conduct (BM), possession of Marijuana/Hash (BM), and Controlled Substance - Possession Paraphernalia (CM). If charged and convicted of a level five felony, Wilson faces the potential of one to six years imprisonment (advisory sentence of three years). Involuntary manslaughter, robbery (no injuries), and criminal recklessness (involving a weapon) are examples of Level 5 felonies.
Wilson was released from probation roughly six months ago after pleading guilty to operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more, a criminal misdemeanor in Sept. 2021. He was sentenced by Judicial Officer Clay Kellerman and was required to pay the fees listed below:
$185
Criminal Court Costs and Fees
$50
Highway Work Zone Fee - Standard
$200
Alcohol and Drug Countermeasures Fee
$100
Criminal Case Fines
$50
Adult Probation Administrative Fee
$170
Adult Probation User Fee Program
$606.50
Wilson also received 180 days in county jail with 180 days suspended to probation.
This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as available.
Correction: In last week's article, Robenstine was listed as a resident of Wooster, Ohio. However, Matt is a former resident of Wooster and has lived in Brookville for several years. The location Robenstine was struck has also been confirmed to have happened in the parking lot of the department. Whitewater Publications regrets the errors.
“Last week an article was printed about an incident that occurred at a local fundraising event involving a friend of mine, Matt Robenstine. I would like to weigh in on this ongoing investigation and update the public of the actual events.
The article cast it as an unfortunate situation and made the public believe the attack was provoked. Although there was immediate response on Facebook and social media stating the article wasn’t the complete truth, the damage was done and most of you reading this now had to wait 1 entire week to finally get the facts.
Matt is from Wooster. Matt now lives in Brookville and has for approximately 8 years. Matt was on the BVFD for almost half of those years. There was no altercation that night, and Matt in fact did not fall off a retaining wall. He was sucker punched by a violent person who was looking for a fight that night.
The article pulled a quote from Matt’s wife’s facebook page stating that his spine injuries have been cleared as well as his eyes and vision. However, this is not completely accurate as these sustained injuries are still healing and doctor visits are ongoing. They are considered stable at the moment.
Matt suffered from cervical spine fractures at the levels of C3,4,5. His collar has been removed and the doctors are hopeful they will heal on their own and not require any surgery. Matt is extremely lucky as paralysis is a main concern with cervical spine injuries. His eyes and vision are improving but it’s hard to judge his vision progress, as he is unable to wear his glasses because of the pressure they put on his face where he suffered bilateral orbital floor fractures and a broken jaw. Luckily the surgeon was able to place plates in his face well enough to align his jaw so that his jaw didn’t need to be wired shut. Although this is great news, he’s still unable to eat anything solid for the next six weeks and will have those plates forever.
Matt also suffered a head contusion and laceration from falling backward on the concrete after he endured a fist to his face. He was air-cared to UC because he was unresponsive for what felt like a lifetime and his pupils were not responding. He suffered a head trauma and is now dizzy constantly with a headache that doesn’t respond to medication. A traumatic brain injury is life long with endless complications. While Matt was at the hospital, he had to have a hole drilled at the bottom of his chin/jaw area so that they could insert a tube to help him breathe.
Although, yes, Matt is home now, he is NOT fine. He has a huge struggle ahead of him in this healing process. His spirits are good and he’s completely grateful for the outpour of support and love from his small town community.
We are all so shocked that such a traumatic thing happened to a guy that loves to joke around and is literally the life of the party. The violence he endured that night and the fear and worry that his 2 little girls felt should have never happened. I hope you are as outraged as I am. This attacker should NOT walk away from this. He doesn’t deserve to walk free. Please contact Franklin County’s prosecutor and help us push this as aggravated battery, which is “knowingly or intentionally inflicting injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes one of the following: serious permanent disfigurement, loss or impairment of the bodily member or organ…” Prosecutor can be reached by calling 765-647-3589 or email at [email protected]”
Submitted by: Crystal Kruthaupt
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On Saturday, Oct. 1, Brookville resident and retired Brookville Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD) firefighter who served the community for several year, Matt Robenstine, was seriously injured at the BVFD Reverse Raffle event.
An article regarding Robenstine and the injuries he received due to alleged battery by Brookville resident Tyler Wilson were published in the Oct. 5 edition of the Brookville American/Democrat. After the article was printed, several other community members in closer proximity (including several members of the BVFD) to Robenstine stepped forward to clarify information given by the eyewitnesses interviewed for last week's article in the Brookville Democrat/American. They felt it was implanted in the article Robenstine was in some way at fault.
Karis Troyer and her husband attended the festival with Robenstine and other friends. Karis stated she was about 15 feet away when the incident occurred, stressing there was no "altercation" between Robenstine and Wilson.
"It was seriously so senseless," Troyer said. "There was no altercation. None. I don't know who witnessed an altercation, but it's simply not true.
“He was cold-cocked and hit so hard that he was unconscious and fell backward onto concrete."
Troyer also clarified where Robenstine was injured.
"He didn't fall off of a retaining wall. He wasn't out on the hill. He was inside of the fireman's festival orange snow fence in plain view of a hundred people. Matt was viciously, needlessly attacked," Troyer continued. "I witnessed it. That's the truth. It was horrifying to see and then terrifying watching them try to revive and then stabilize him."
Wilson was arrested at 12:31 a.m. for Battery (L5), Public Disorderly Conduct (BM), possession of Marijuana/Hash (BM), and Controlled Substance - Possession Paraphernalia (CM). If charged and convicted of a level five felony, Wilson faces the potential of one to six years imprisonment (advisory sentence of three years). Involuntary manslaughter, robbery (no injuries), and criminal recklessness (involving a weapon) are examples of Level 5 felonies.
Wilson was released from probation roughly six months ago after pleading guilty to operating a vehicle with an alcohol concentration equivalent to .15 or more, a criminal misdemeanor in Sept. 2021. He was sentenced by Judicial Officer Clay Kellerman and was required to pay the fees listed below:
$185
Criminal Court Costs and Fees
$50
Highway Work Zone Fee - Standard
$200
Alcohol and Drug Countermeasures Fee
$100
Criminal Case Fines
$50
Adult Probation Administrative Fee
$170
Adult Probation User Fee Program
$606.50
Wilson also received 180 days in county jail with 180 days suspended to probation.
This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as available.
Correction: In last week's article, Robenstine was listed as a resident of Wooster, Ohio. However, Matt is a former resident of Wooster and has lived in Brookville for several years. The location Robenstine was struck has also been confirmed to have happened in the parking lot of the department. Whitewater Publications regrets the errors.
“Last week an article was printed about an incident that occurred at a local fundraising event involving a friend of mine, Matt Robenstine. I would like to weigh in on this ongoing investigation and update the public of the actual events.
The article cast it as an unfortunate situation and made the public believe the attack was provoked. Although there was immediate response on Facebook and social media stating the article wasn’t the complete truth, the damage was done and most of you reading this now had to wait 1 entire week to finally get the facts.
Matt is from Wooster. Matt now lives in Brookville and has for approximately 8 years. Matt was on the BVFD for almost half of those years. There was no altercation that night, and Matt in fact did not fall off a retaining wall. He was sucker punched by a violent person who was looking for a fight that night.
The article pulled a quote from Matt’s wife’s facebook page stating that his spine injuries have been cleared as well as his eyes and vision. However, this is not completely accurate as these sustained injuries are still healing and doctor visits are ongoing. They are considered stable at the moment.
Matt suffered from cervical spine fractures at the levels of C3,4,5. His collar has been removed and the doctors are hopeful they will heal on their own and not require any surgery. Matt is extremely lucky as paralysis is a main concern with cervical spine injuries. His eyes and vision are improving but it’s hard to judge his vision progress, as he is unable to wear his glasses because of the pressure they put on his face where he suffered bilateral orbital floor fractures and a broken jaw. Luckily the surgeon was able to place plates in his face well enough to align his jaw so that his jaw didn’t need to be wired shut. Although this is great news, he’s still unable to eat anything solid for the next six weeks and will have those plates forever.
Matt also suffered a head contusion and laceration from falling backward on the concrete after he endured a fist to his face. He was air-cared to UC because he was unresponsive for what felt like a lifetime and his pupils were not responding. He suffered a head trauma and is now dizzy constantly with a headache that doesn’t respond to medication. A traumatic brain injury is life long with endless complications. While Matt was at the hospital, he had to have a hole drilled at the bottom of his chin/jaw area so that they could insert a tube to help him breathe.
Although, yes, Matt is home now, he is NOT fine. He has a huge struggle ahead of him in this healing process. His spirits are good and he’s completely grateful for the outpour of support and love from his small town community.
We are all so shocked that such a traumatic thing happened to a guy that loves to joke around and is literally the life of the party. The violence he endured that night and the fear and worry that his 2 little girls felt should have never happened. I hope you are as outraged as I am. This attacker should NOT walk away from this. He doesn’t deserve to walk free. Please contact Franklin County’s prosecutor and help us push this as aggravated battery, which is “knowingly or intentionally inflicting injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes one of the following: serious permanent disfigurement, loss or impairment of the bodily member or organ…” Prosecutor can be reached by calling 765-647-3589 or email at [email protected]”
Submitted by: Crystal Kruthaupt