2 die after separate crashes

7/5/2009

Two people injured in separate car crashes last weekend have died in regional hospitals.

Judith Ekquist, 51, of Clinton, Mich., who was hit by a car while in her driveway on June 28, died Thursday in University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor.

Anthony Messenger, 41, of Forest, Ohio, died Wednesday in St. Rita's Hospital in Lima of injuries suffered when his car hit a tree near Findlay on June 27.

Ms. Ekquist was hit by a car driven by Anthony Kobus, 23, of Tecumseh, about 9 p.m. June 28 when he lost control of his vehicle and went off Billmyer Highway in Lenawee County's Clinton Township, Lenawee County Sheriff's Sgt. Dave Aungst said. The vehicle struck her and her son Kenneth, 16, who were near the end of the family's driveway.

The teen has been discharged from the hospital.

Mr. Kobus was charged with two counts of operating a vehicle while impaired and causing serious injury.

Mr. Messenger lost control of the station wagon he was driving and hit a tree, the Ohio Highway Patrol said. He had been eastbound about 4:30 a.m. on Township Road 64 near Hancock County Road 175 in Jackson Township, about 18 miles southeast of Findlay.