Emerald Township – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred at 8:45 P.M. Sunday evening on US 24 at the County Road 143 intersection in Paulding County.
A 2000 Chevrolet S-10 pickup, driven by Courtney M. Schaffer, 19, of Hicksville, Ohio was traveling southbound County Road 143. A 2005 Dodge Ram pickup, driven by David W. Ashenfelter, 45, of Flora, Indiana was traveling eastbound on US 24. The Chevrolet failed to yield at the stop sign and drove into the path of the Dodge. Both vehicles were heavily damaged and came to rest in the ditch on the south side of US 24. Schaffer was alone in the vehicle. There was a passenger in the Dodge, Michelle R. Soupley, 44, of Flora, Indiana. The driver of the Dodge was extracted by mechanical means.
The driver of the Chevrolet was taken by Samaritan to Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The driver and passenger of the Dodge were both taken to Defiance regional Hospital by Paulding EMS.
Both lanes of US24 were shut down for a short time to land the helicopter. The eastbound lane was shut down for more than an hour for the investigation.
The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Paulding Fire Department and EMS, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Samaritan, John’s Towing, and Integrity Auto Body Wrecker Service.
The crash remains under investigation.Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash. Seatbelts were in use at the time of the crash.
