Published: 6/15/2003

Oregon driver killed, 2 others hurt on Rt. 2

An Oregon man was killed yesterday in a two-vehicle accident on State Rt. 2, about a half mile east of North Curtice Road in Jerusalem Township, that seriously injured a 15-year-old girl and hurt an 18-year-old man, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

Keith A. Erdmann, 31, of 6086 James Rd. was pronounced dead in St. Charles Mercy Hospital about an hour after the 1:40 a.m. accident.

Mr. Erdmann was driving a pickup truck west on Route 2 when he veered left of center and struck an eastbound car head-on, injuring both of its occupants, troopers at the patrol's Walbridge post said.

The car's passenger, Heather E. Gresh, 15, of Oak Harbor, Ohio, was admitted to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in serious condition. The driver, Joseph W. Smith, 18, of Bellevue, Ohio, was in fair condition yesterday at St. Vincent.

Mr. Smith and his passenger were wearing seat belts. Mr. Erdmann was not, troopers said.

Guidelines: Please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. If a comment violates these standards or our privacy statement or visitor's agreement, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report abuse. To post comments, you must be a Facebook member. To find out more, please visit the FAQ.

Poll