Woman dies after Wyandot Co. crash

2/16/2012
BLADE STAFF

UPPER SANDUSKY, Ohio — An 84-year-old woman died in a hospital Wednesday after being injured in a two-car crash on U.S. 23 at Wyandot County Road 121 the day before.

Virginia Rice of Crane Township was pronounced dead at 11:18 p.m. at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, Toledo. Ms. Rice was a passenger in a car driven by Marie Faltay, 65, of Vermillion, Ohio, according to the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office.

The Faltay car was driving north on Road 121 crossing U.S. 23 about 4:36 p.m. Tuesday when it pulled into the path of a car driven by Kurt Elsasser, 21, of Zoar, Ohio, who was northwest-bound on U.S. 23. The Elsasser car then struck the passenger side of the Faltay car, trapping Ms. Rice in the wreckage, sheriff deputies said.

Rescue crews arrived a short time later and used the Jaws of Life to free Ms. Rice from the wreckage; she was then flown to the hospital. Ms. Faltay and Mr. Elsasser refused medical treatment at the scene, deputies said.

Everyone was wearing seat belts, according to the sheriff’s office.

The crash remained under investigation. There was no word of charges.

Upper Sandusky is about 65 miles south of Toledo.