1 killed, 3 injured in Ottawa County crash

9/22/2006
BLADE STAFF

OAK HARBOR An Oak Harbor man was killed and three people were injured, one critically, in a two-vehicle crash today at State Rts. 163 and 590 in Ottawa County s Benton Township.

Roger Rhodes, 70, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Ottawa County coroner following the 7:20 a.m. crash that occurred about four miles west of Oak Harbor.

Mr. Rhodes was driving westbound on State Rt. 163 when his SUV was struck by another SUV driven by Roger Newman II, 24, of 1824 Woodmore St. Toledo. Mr. Newman, who was northbound on State Rt. 590, failed to stop at the stop sign, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol s Sandusky post.

Mr. Rhodes Mercury Mountaineer overturned several times after it was struck by Mr. Newman s vehicle. Mr. Newman s Jeep Cherokee hit a telephone junction box and a tree.

Troopers said Mr. Rhodes and a passenger in Mr. Newman s vehicle, 21-year-old Jeffrey Rose, Jr., of 1417 Miami St., East Toledo, were ejected from their vehicles.

Mr. Rose was seriously injured, troopers said. He was taken to University Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.

Mr. Newman and another passenger in his vehicle, Charlie Matthews, 50, of Jerusalem Township, were taken to St. Charles Mercy Hospital in Oregon.

Mr. Newman s condition was unavailable; he was still being evaluated at 1:30 p.m. today. Mr. Matthews was treated and released.

No charges have been filed; the crash remains under investigation.

Read more in later editions of The Blade and toledoblade.com.