2 hurt, 1 critical, in area car-tractor crash

Van Wert independent news

HAVILAND — A Haviland man remains in critical condition following a car-tractor accident that occurred Monday night on Ohio 114, east of Haviland.

Chad E. Snavely, 44, of Haviland, a passenger in a 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by James A. Lewis, 51, also of Haviland, was listed in critical condition at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, following injuries received in the crash. Lewis is listed in stable condition at Parkview.

According to troopers from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lewis was driving west on Ohio 114 when he rear-ended a westbound John Deere tractor pulling a wagon that was driven by Evan C. Klopfenstein, 44, of Haviland.

Snavely, a front-seat passenger in the Monte Carlo, was trapped in the vehicle and had to be removed by mechanical means. He was flown to Parkview by Samaritan life-flight helicopter, while Lewis was first taken to Van Wert County Hospital by the Scott EMS squad and later flown to Parkview by Samaritan helicopter. Klopfenstein was not injured in the crash.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, while seatbelts were not in use when the accident occurred.

The Patrol was assisted by Scott Fire Department and EMS, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, and Gideon Wrecker Service.

The crash remains under investigation.