Two hurt in overnight car crash

7/6/2011

Two Toledo men were injured in a single-car crash early Wednesday on East River Road near Bates Road in Perrysburg Township, closing East River to traffic for several hours, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

Dereck Patton, 38, the driver, and Derrick Willcutt, 27, a passenger in the car, were taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, where Mr. Patton was listed in good condition. Mr. Willcutt’s condition was unavailable.

Mr. Patton, who had fled the scene, was taken to the hospital after a Perrysburg Township police officer located and apprehended him in nearby woods a short time after the crash, according to troopers at the patrol’s Bowling Green post.

The car was traveling northeast on East River at a high rate of speed about 1:30 a.m. when it veered off of the right side of the road and struck a utility pole, a mailbox, and several small trees, troopers said. The car then struck a large tree, throwing the driver and the passenger on the ground.

About six hours later, the road remained closed, according to the patrol.

Mr. Patton and Mr. Willcutt were not wearing seat belts, troopers said.

There was no word of charges in the crash, which remained under investigation.