Wrong-way crash report expected Friday

Patrol says cause still under investigation

3/7/2012

A report with further details of a wrong-way crash that killed four people -- including three Bowling Green State University students -- is expected to be made available Friday by the State Highway Patrol.

Winifred D. Lein, 69, of Perrysburg Township was driving south in the northbound lanes of I-75 early Friday when her car collided just north of Bowling Green with a northbound vehicle containing five BGSU sorority sisters.

Three of the students died as a result of the crash, as did Lein. Two more students are in critical condition at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo.

Few official details have emerged about the wrong-way driver who caused a two-vehicle fatal crash on Friday, although a few theories have been circulating, including the possibility of a head injury or medical condition. Family members of Lein have speculated that a fall -- either recent or one from Lein's childhood -- resulted in a head injury that may have left her disoriented, causing her to drive in the wrong direction.

Highway Patrol Lt. Dean Laubacher said he was not aware of a fall that might have caused injury to Lein and that the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Lein's older brother, Ron Merrill, said his sister was on her way home from work at the time of the crash, although Lieutenant Laubacher said where Lein was coming from, and going to, was still under investigation.

On Tuesday, Bowling Green State University announced that accounts for the two women still in the hospital were set up through Huntington Bank for anyone wishing to donate to "help their families with expenses."

Donations for Kayla Somoles, 19, of Parma, Ohio, and Angelica Mormile, 19, of Garfield Heights, Ohio, can be made at any Huntington Bank branch.

The account for Ms. Somoles is No. 01662355833, and the one for Ms. Mormile is No. 01662355820. Donations will also be accepted at Ms. Somoles' mother's employer, Gear Company of America Inc., 14300 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 44111, to the attention of "Donation Accounts."