Woman hurt in crash near Tiffin

7/15/2008

TIFFIN A Tiffin woman was hurt seriously when her sport-utility vehicle was struck from behind Monday evening, causing it to go off a Clinton Township road, overturn, and strike a tree.

Patricia Elchert, 61, the SUV driver, was taken to Tiffin Mercy Hospital and then flown to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, where she was listed in serious condition Tuesday morning following the crash at 7:50 p.m. Monday.

Ms. Elchert was eastbound on Seneca County Road 50 near County Road 13 and had slowed to turn right into a driveway when her 1991 Chevrolet Blazer was hit from behind by a 2006 Honda Accord driven by Jacqueline Gomez, 27, of Republic, Ohio, according to troopers at the Ohio Highway Patrol post in Fremont.

The impact pushed Ms. Elchert s SUV off the right side of the road, and it rolled and hit the tree.

Ms. Gomez was cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts, troopers said.

Tiffin is about 40 miles southeast of Toledo.