Erie County sheriff injured in head-on crash

1/12/2011

SANDUSKY — Erie County Sheriff Terry Lyons was injured Wednesday morning when a newspaper delivery van crossed the center line and struck the sheriff's car head-on.

Sheriff Lyons, 57, was in good condition at Firelands Regional Medical Center after the crash.

According to the Ohio Highway Patrol, the sheriff was southbound on Columbus Avenue between Electric Street and Gilcher Street in Perkins Township about 7:10 a.m. when a Sandusky Register van driven by Terrance Pace, 27, drove left of center and struck the sheriff's car in the southbound lane of Columbus Avenue.

Troopers said Mr. Pace apparently was fatigued and fell asleep at the wheel.

Mr. Pace, who was treated at Firelands, was cited for driving left of center.

Sheriff Lyons has been employed by the sheriff's office since 1984 and was elected sheriff in 2001.