Brown Township – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred at 7:20 P.M. Sunday evening on SR 613 between Oakwood and Melrose in Paulding County.
A 1996 Ford Mustang, driven by Christina R. Kroeckel, 34, of Paulding, Ohio was traveling eastbound on SR 613. A 2006 Ford Fusion, driven by Kebecca J. Thomas, 47, of Oakwood, Ohio was traveling westbound on SR 613. The Mustang went off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, came back onto the roadway, and crossed the center line into the path of the Fusion. Both vehicles were heavily damaged. The Mustang came to rest in the center of the roadway and the Fusion came to rest in the ditch on the north side of SR 613. Kroeckel was alone in the vehicle. There was a passenger in the Fusion, Courtney J. Thomas, 15, of Oakwood, Ohio. The driver of the Fusion was extracted by mechanical means.
The driver of the Fusion was taken by Samaritan to Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The driver of the Mustang was taken by Oakwood EMS to Paulding County Hospital and then on to Parkview Regional Hospital. The passenger of the Fusion was taken to Defiance regional Hospital by Oakwood EMS. Both lanes of SR 613 were shut down for two hours.
The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Oakwood Fire Department and EMS, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Samaritan, R&O Towing, and Gideon’s Wrecker Service.
The crash remains under investigation. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash. Seatbelts were in use by the occupants of the Fusion at the time of the crash. A seatbelt was not in use by the driver of the Mustang at the time of the crash. Seatbelt use may have reduced injuries.
