Van Wert man injured in crash

8/16/2007

VAN WERT, Ohio - A Van Wert man was in serious condition last night after the van he was driving went left of center on U.S. 224 just west of Van Wert and struck two semi tractors Tuesday, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

Chris Skinner, 53, was flown to Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne after the crash on U.S. 224, between Old Tile Factory and Van Wert Decatur roads in Pleasant Township. The mile-long stretch of road was closed for about two hours, with traffic detoured into the city, the patrol said.

Mr. Skinner was westbound on U.S. 224 about 2:25 p.m. when the van slammed into the trailer of a semi driven by Ahmednur N. Mohamed, 34, of Columbus, and then a semi driven by Steven Gehle, 40, of Rockford, Ohio, the patrol said.

Neither truck driver was injured.

The crash remained under investigation last night.