Swanton man dies after car, truck collide

3/22/2001

SWANTON - A Swanton man died after his car crossed the center line on U.S. 20A yesterday and collided with a semi tractor just west of Laplante Road in Monclova Township, authorities said.

John E. Obad, 54, of 4460 South Berkey Rd., was pronounced dead at 2:50 p.m. in Toledo Hospital.

Fred Henry Jr., 31, of Delta, driver of the truck, and Eric Lake, 29, of Toledo, his passenger, suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

Mr. Obad was westbound on U.S. 20A about 1:30 p.m. when he lost control of his car, which crossed the center line and collided with Mr. Henry's eastbound truck.

The truck went into a ditch, overturned, and came to rest on its right side, while the car ended up in the middle of the road, troopers said.

Mr. Obad was trapped inside the car for about seven minutes before the rescuers could extricate him, troopers said. The accident remains under investigation.