Single-car crash kills Ohio City man

4/5/2012

OHIO CITY, Ohio -- The Ohio Highway Patrol is investigating a single-car crash that killed an Ohio City man Wednesday on Ohio City-Venedocia Road just northeast of this Van Wert County community, authorities said.

The victim, who was thrown from the car, was identified as Joel Thatcher, 21, according to patrol's Van Wert post. He was not wearing a seat belt, troopers said. The crash occurred about 3:11 a.m. Wednesday near Burris Road in Liberty Township, the patrol said. Mr. Thatcher was driving west on Ohio City-Venedocia when authorities say he drove off the south side of the road and struck a utility pole.