Woman, 53, critical after collision with tractor-trailer

5/23/2007

FREMONT - A 53-year-old Fremont woman was in critical condition last night in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center after the minivan she was driving was struck by a tractor-trailer earlier in the day at State Rt. 53 and Sean Drive, police said.

Police found Brenda Russell unconscious and her minivan extensively damaged when they arrived at the intersection in a business section in the city's northern tip. She was flown to Toledo.

Ms. Russell was pulling out of Sean just before 12:40 p.m., preparing to make a left turn and drive south on Route 53 when the semi driver, Samuri Schaffer, 30, of Bellevue, Neb., who was southbound on Route 53, failed to stop at a red light and struck the minivan on the passenger side, police said.

Mr. Schaffer, who was treated at Fremont Memorial Hospital for back pain, was hauling plastic pots for Schneider National Carriers, of Gary, Ind. He was headed to Findlay, according to police.

The crash remained under investigation last night.