Man in critical condition after Putnam County crash

8/24/2004

OTTOVILLE, Ohio - A 26-year-old Van Wert man was in critical condition yesterday in Ohio State University Medical Center, where he was flown after he was thrown from a sport utility vehicle in Putnam County early Sunday.

Trent R. Jenkins was flown to Columbus from St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima. Two other occupants of the crashed Jeep, William J. Crutchfield, 31, and Jennie R. Reed, 25, both of Van Wert, were in good condition in St. Rita's yesterday.

The Ohio Highway Patrol's Lima post did not know yesterday who was driving and had not filed charges but said the crash was alcohol-related. The patrol was called at 5:55 a.m.

The Jeep was northbound on State Rt. 66 near Ottoville when it ran the stop sign at a T-intersection with Road R, went off the north side of the road, struck a dirt mound, and went airborne before landing in a bean field, where it overturned and rolled several times, the patrol said.