Paulding County – The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle injury crash that occurred on State Route 613 one mile east of the Indiana/Ohio state line.
At approximately 9:30am a 2007 Freightliner Semi driven by Kyle P. Becker, age 28, of Sulphur Springs, Indiana was traveling eastbound on State Route 613. Mr. Becker drifted off the right side of the roadway causing the semi and tanker trailer he was pulling to overturn into a deep ditch. Mr. Becker became trapped in the semi cab.
Mr. Becker was trapped in the wreckage for over an hour as Payne Volunteer Fire and EMS personnel worked to extricate him. Mr. Becker was transported by Mercy Health, Life Flight helicopter, to a Toledo hospital.
The semi tanker contained liquid fertilizer and a small amount had leaked during the vehicle recovery. Crews are working on scene to mitigate any further spills and to safely remove the semi and tanker trailer from the roadside. State Route 613 was closed during the crash investigation and down to one-lane intermittently during scene clean up.
Mr. Becker was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
The Van Wert Post was assisted by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Payne Fire and EMS, Van Wert County EMA, Mercy Health Life Flight, Robinson’s Towing, and Gordon Enterprises.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol encourages drivers and occupants to always where their seat belts no matter how short the drive and to never drive distracted.
