3 injured in turnpike crash near Wauseon exchange

2/21/2013

WAUSEON --Three people were injured and the westbound Ohio Turnpike was blocked for three hours today when an eastbound tractor-trailer crossed the median and collided with two westbound vehicles, the Ohio Highway Patrol reported.Troopers described all three drivers' injuries as "non-life-threatening," although two of them were flown to a Toledo hospital after being extricated from their vehicles.

An eastbound semi driven by John A. Adams, 62, of Kelseyville, Calif., went off the left side of the roadway and lost control in the median about 10:30 a.m., according to the highway patrol. After entering the westbound lane, it collided with a car driven by Vance McCrumb, 70, of Milan, Mich., and a tractor-trailer driven by Joshua L. Shontz, 22, of Oil City, Pa.

Mr. Adams and Mr. McCrumb were taken by medical helicopter to the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio Hospital. Mr. Shontz freed himself from his truck, and was taken to Fulton County Health Center in Wauseon.

The crash occurred about two miles west of the Wauseon interchange, and westbound traffic was forced to exit there until one lane reopened around 1:30 p.m. The second eastbound lane remains closed.