Deputy, inmates hurt in 2-vehicle crash

VW independent/submitted information

GROVER HILL — Six people, five of them Paulding County Jail inmates, were treated following a two-vehicle accident that occurred Monday morning north of Grover Hill.

Paulding County Sheriff’s Sergeant Chris Dilling, 45, and five inmates, Christopher Franklin, Timmy Tucker, Benjamin Smith, Tomas Walters and Antonio Barajas Jr., were all taken to Paulding County Hospital following the accident, which occurred at approximately 8 a.m. Monday at the intersection of Ohio 637 and Ohio 613.

According to investigating troopers from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the 2005 Chevrolet Express van driven by Sgt. Dilling was headed west on Ohio 613 when a 2014 Chevrolet Impala driven north on Ohio 637 by Mark Rolston, 49, of Reed City, Michigan, failed to yield the right of way and struck the left side of the county transport van, causing the van to veer off the right side of the highway and overturn.

Rolston was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way.

Rolston was not apparently injured in the crash, nor were three inmates, Jessica Beane, Justin Kipker and Jon Foster. Those inmates were transported to Paulding County Jail.

The Patrol was assisted at the accident scene by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Grover Hill and Paulding EMS squads and Gideon’s and R&O Towing.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the accident, which remains under investigation at this time. Sgt. Dilling, Rolston and Beane were all wearing seatbelts. The inmates in the back of the transport van were not wearing seatbelts.