State Rt. 115 crash injures man critically

8/22/2003

LIMA, Ohio - A Fort Jennings, Ohio, couple and their daughter were injured yesterday - the man critically - when their sport utility vehicle collided with a pickup truck in Sugar Creek Township, about three miles north of here, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

Luke A. Stechschulte, 44, was taken to St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima, where he was listed in critical condition last night. His wife, Janice, and their daughter, Rachel, 10, were treated at the hospital.

The family members were injured about 11:35 a.m. on State Rt. 115 at the State Road intersection.

Troopers at the patrol's Lima post said Mr. Stechschulte was northbound on Route 115 when his vehicle was struck broadside by a pickup driven by Russell Kandel, 20, of Millersburg, Ohio.

Mr. Kandel was westbound on State when he ran a stop sign at Route 115. Mr. Kandel and a passenger were treated at the scene.