Fremont auto mechanic killed in freak accident working on car at local repair shop
Car's fan blade broke loose, struck man in the neck
7/25/2014FREMONT -- An auto mechanic was killed Thursday in a freak accident while he was working on a car at a local repair shop, Fremont police said.
Donnovan P. Roth, 44, of Fremont was declared dead when paramedics arrived at Fremont Brake and Oil, 1006 E. State St., after the accident was reported about 3:50 p.m. Thursday.
Mr. Roth was working on a 1972 Buick four-door sedan belonging to Steven Jones, 38, of Fremont and was leaning over the engine compartment and revving its engine when the engine backfired and one of five aluminum blades from its fan broke free and struck him in the neck, according to the police report.
Several witnesses, including Mr. Jones, saw Mr. Roth walk backward from the vehicle clutching his neck and bleeding profusely, then collapse a few feet away, police said. The piece of fan blade had sliced through a radiator hose and was found nearby, according to the report.
Police said they do not suspect foul play, but Mr. Roth’s body was transported to the Lucas County coroner’s office for an autopsy at the request of the Sandusky County coroner.
Fremont Sgt. Anthony Emrich said he removed the fan and found cracks in the other four blades near the rivets that attached them to the fan hub.