Ottawa man killed in U.S. 224 collision

11/5/2002

OTTAWA, Ohio - A local man was killed yesterday morning when the car he was driving was struck head-on by another car that swerved to avoid a school bus on U.S. 224 just west of here.

Dean R. Shalter, 43, was pronounced dead in St. Rita's Ambulatory Care Center in Glandorf, Ohio. He was driving eastbound on U.S. 224 near Putnam County Road 12-K about 6:40 a.m. when a westbound car crossed the center line and struck Mr. Shalter's car, according to the Lima post of the Ohio Highway Patrol.

That driver, Douglas R. Siefer, 21, of Kalida, Ohio, failed to see a bus in front of his car slowing to make a left turn onto County Road 12-K. Mr. Siefer swerved his car left of center and struck the rear of the bus before crashing into Mr. Shalter's car. Mr. Siefer was listed in fair condition yesterday in St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima, Ohio.

The driver of the bus, Ruth A. Rosengarten, 68, of Glandorf, was not injured. No children were on the bus at the time.

The incident remains under investigation.