2 in pickup hurt in Delta-area turnpike crash

7/28/2008

DELTA, Ohio Two people were hurt yesterday when their pickup truck pulling a camper careened off the Ohio Turnpike in Fulton County near Delta, went down a bridge embankment, and came to rest on railroad tracks, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

Joe Pancake, 25, of Toledo, and his passenger, Jolene Medeiros, 20, of Hastings, Mich., were flown to the University of Toledo Medical Center, formerly the Medical College of Ohio Hospital, where both were admitted in fair condition, hospital spokesman said.

Mr. Pancake was eastbound on the turnpike, east of State Rt. 109 in Pike Township, about 4 a.m. when he went off the road, struck a guardrail, went into the grass median, and down the embankment, before landing on the Indiana and Ohio Railway tracks, troopers at the patrol s Swanton post said.

Mr. Pancake was cited for failure to control and driving while under suspension, troopers said.