10 people injured in van-car crash in Seneca County

10/5/2009

REPUBLIC, Ohio - Two people were seriously injured and eight others were hurt Sunday morning in a collision between two vehicles on State Rt. 18 in northern Seneca County's Adams Township, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

Mary Dendinger, 73, of Sandusky was in critical condition Sunday night in Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said.

She was a passenger in a van and was flown to the hospital from the scene with facial injuries. She was not wearing a seat belt, troopers said.

Another passenger in the same van, Vaughn Friend, 37, of Sandusky, was initially seen at Bellevue Hospital, then flown to Mercy St. Vincent.

He had serious facial injuries, troopers said.

No information was available on his condition, a hospital spokesman said.

Troopers said Edwin H. Willis, 72, of Clyde was driving his car northeast on Route 18 when he slowed to turn left onto County Road 21.

His car collided with the van, being driven in a southwest direction, by Brian Dendinger, 40, of Sandusky.

The van spun in the road after the collision and struck a ditch.

Eight people were treated at Bellevue Hospital for less serious injuries, troopers said.