Crash of 2 trucks in Huron County closes State Rt. 4 for most of day

7/27/2007

BELLEVUE, Ohio - A fiery crash of two tractor-trailers on State Rt. 4, south of State Rt. 113, about 11 a.m. yesterday led authorities to close the road in northwestern Huron County for much of the day, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

A semi driven south on State Rt. 4 by James E. Seals, 55, of Eaton, Ohio, went off the right side of the road, came back on the road, went left of center, and struck a northbound semi driven by Timothy J. Kruse, 61, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, troopers at the patrol's Norwalk post said.

After impact, the cab of the semi driven by Mr. Seals detached from the chassis and overturned in the road and the rest of the rig burst into flames. The truck was a total loss, troopers said.

The semi driven by Mr. Kruse was not involved in the fire, although it was damaged extensively in the crash, troopers said.

Both drivers were treated at Bellevue Hospital.

Mr. Seals was hauling food products for the H.T. Hackney Co., of Knoxville, Tenn.

Mr. Kruse was hauling plastic products for Free Spirit Trucking, of Quincy, Ohio.