The Rev. Chuck Mentrup lost control of his car on Interstate 75 around 3 a.m. Tuesday. Investigators said Mentrup was ejected from his car and died at the scene.

Mentrup was pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Franklin; however, he has several ties to the Miami Valley, including Alter High School.

Father Chuck, as he was known, came to Alter High School in 1988 as a teacher. He then became athletic director until 1993.

Mentrup was also the associate pastor of Incarnation Church in Centerville, but most recently, he was pastor of St. Mary’s in Franklin.

Tom Cox is director of Religious Services at St. Mary’s. He said Mentrup loved people and lived to make people happy.

Cox said, “He was great with people who were ill, had tragedy, baptisms and weddings. He was able to connect people with God in a real way.”

Authorities said Mentrup was driving on I-75 northbound near West Chester when he lost control, flipped his car, ejecting and killing him.

Investigators said they know that Mentrup was not wearing a seat belt, but they do not know why he lost control.