Grover Hill – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a fatal crash that occurred in Paulding County north of Grover Hill on Monday, December 08, 2014 around 3:46 P. M.
At 3:46 P.M. the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a traffic crash on State Route 637 north of Township Road 82 in Jackson Township. Deputies, Paulding Volunteer Fire and EMS, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to the scene and found a 2000 International semi-tractor fully engulfed in fire off the east side of the roadway in a field and a 2005 Chevrolet Impala a short distance north of the fire with heavy front end damage partially in the roadway.
During the investigation it was found the 2005 Impala, driven by Jane C. Deken, age 53, of Continental drove left of center and struck the southbound 2000 International semi, driven by Brandon J. Appel, age 23, of Edgerton. The Impala came to rest on the east side shoulder of State Route 637. The semi continued for a short distance catching fire almost immediately and went off the east side of the roadway into a field where the driver was able to jump from the vehicle to safety prior to the semi becoming fully engulfed in fire.
Mrs. Deken sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead on scene by the Paulding County Coroner. She was wearing her seat belt at the time of the crash. Mr. Appel was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash and was not injured.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash and the investigation is ongoing as to the events surrounding the crash. State Route 637 was closed for approximately four hours during the investigation and scene clean-up.
Assisting at the scene were the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Paulding and Grover Hill Volunteer Fire, Paulding EMS, Paulding County EMA, Ohio Department of Transportation, Gideon’s Towing and Recovery, and J & R Towing.
