Harrison Township – The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred on State Route 49, Paulding County north of the Village Of Payne.
On January 31, 2016, at 2:34 A.M. troopers with the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol received a report of an injury crash on State Route 49 north of State Route 111. A 2007 Saturn Ion operated by Bobbi M. Brkovic, age 30, of Paulding, Ohio was traveling south on State Route 49 when her vehicle went off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle re-entered the roadway and then went off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree.
The driver was transported by Antwerp EMS to Parkview Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. The passenger, Lisa A. Recker, age 47, of Antwerp, Ohio was transported by Payne EMS to the Paulding County Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The driver, Brkovic, was reportedly wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The passenger, Recker, was not wearing a seat belt. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.
The Van Wert Post was assisted on scene by deputies with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Payne EMS, Antwerp EMS, and R&O Wrecker Service. The crash remains under investigation.
