Forest, Ohio, man dies in single-car accident

4/17/2004

PATTERSON, Ohio - A 20-year-old Forest, Ohio, man died after the car in which he was a passenger hit a tree in northern Hardin County Thursday night.

The driver, a 19-year-old Forest man, was in fair condition in St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima.

Shane M. Kleman was driving south on Township Road 195, about a half-mile north of State Rt. 81, at 10 p.m. when he lost control of the car, drove off the left side of the road, struck a culvert, and then a tree, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol's Findlay post.

He and his passenger, Derek D. Howard, were thrown from the car. Mr. Howard was pronounced dead at the scene, and Mr. Kleman was flown by helicopter to St. Rita's.