Several hurt in rollover crash on U.S. 127

Ohio State Highway Patrol information

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a serious injury motor vehicle crash on U.S. 127, near Ohio 709 approximately five miles south of Van Wert.

On Saturday at 7:07 a.m., the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol received reports of a serious injury rollover crash south of Van Wert. A 2004 GMC Yukon SUV driven by Leon R. Fry, 19, of Topeka, Indiana, was southbound on U.S. 127 when he struck high water across the southbound lanes of U.S. 127.

Fry lost control and went off the left side of the roadway, where the Yukon overturned several times and ejected five of the six occupants. Seat belts were not in use at the time of the crash.

The driver,  front seat passenger, Brenda Miller, and second row occupants Alice Bontrager and Lyle Fry, were all ejected during the crash. They were subsequently transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The third row occupants Marilyn Bontrager (not ejected) and Marlin Miller (ejected), were transported to Van Wert County Hospital where they were treated and released.

U.S. 127 was closed for a short time during scene cleanup and has been reopened. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Ohio City Volunteer Fire and EMS, Brickner Ambulance Service, Van Wert Fire Advance Life Support squad, and 2-A’s Towing.

Due to continued heavy rains across the area, the roadways in the county are hazardous in some areas due to high water. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to slow down and if possible avoid flooded roadways.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor and the crash remains under investigation.