Woman dies in head-on crash on US 127

Van Wert independent/OSHP

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on U.S. 127, just north of U.S. 224, at 1:58 p.m. Friday in Hoaglin Township, Van Wert County.

According to troopers, a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Shannon L. Sholler, 41, was southbound on U.S. 127 when Sholler reportedly crossed the centerline and struck a northbound 2011 Chevrolet Cruze driven by Chelsi J. Siefker, 18, head-on.

Siefker was transported from the scene by Van Wert Fire Department’s Advanced Life Support Squad and later was flown to a Fort Wayne, Ind., hospital by life-flight helicopter.

Sholler was pronounced dead at the scene by Van Wert County Coroner Dr. Scott Jarvis.  She was transported by Brickner Ambulance Service to Van Wert County Hospital.

U.S. 127 was closed for approximately two hours during the on-scene investigation and crash clean-up.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts. Assisting at the scene were the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Scott Volunteer Fire & EMS, Van Wert Fire Department and Medic Squad, Bricker Ambulance Service, 2A’s Towing, and Parker-Mace Wrecker Service.

Also Friday, the southern portion of U.S. 127 was closed for several hours following a diesel spill that resulted from a non-injury crash between a car and a semi tractor-trailer rig at the intersection with Cooper Road.