Bird causes injury crash on U.S. 24

10/28/2010

One person was hurt after a bird struck him in the face and caused his sport-utility vehicle to collide with a tractor-trailor on U.S. 24 in downtown Waterville Monday afternoon, authorities said.

Timothy Loeffler, whose age was unavailable, of Bowling Green was treated for non-life threatening injuries to his legs and hips at the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio Hospital, troopers said. His condition was not immediately available.

Mr. Loeffler was driving west on U.S. 24 about 4:30 p.m. Monday when a bird flew through his open driver's side window and struck him in the face, Trooper Shane Borton said. He then lost control of his sport-utility vehicle, going left of center and being struck by an eastbound tractor-trailer hauling steel at Mechanic Street.

The smaller vehicle spun before coming to rest.

Mr. Loeffler was not cited, after the dead bird was found in his backseat, Trooper Borton said.

Traffic was backed up for at least an hour on U.S. 24 miles near The Shops at Fallen Timbers.