State Patrol Investigating Crash on US24 in Paulding County
PAULDING – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred at 3:29 PM Wednesday afternoon involving two semi-trucks on US24 one half mile west of County Road 115 in Emerald Township. The crash immediately closed both lanes of westbound US24.
A 2015 Volvo semi-truck, driven by Daniel W. Guy, Jr., age 42, of Toledo was westbound on US24. Mr. Guy came upon a slower moving semi-truck driven by Maurice W. Waller, Jr., age 26, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania driving a 2016 International semi-truck pulling a loaded flatbed trailer. Mr. Guy did not slow or change lanes to account for the slower semi-truck and struck the flatbed trailer. His truck cab became separated from the frame trapping him in the driver’s seat. The damaged semi-truck was disabled across both westbound lanes of US24.
Mr. Waller’s trailer sustained moderate damage and was pulled to the berm. Paulding Emergency Medical Services and Volunteer Fire Department responded to the crash scene, and with the help of Gideon’s Towing and Recovery, Mr. Guy was extricated from the wreckage. He was transported to a Fort Wayne Indiana Hospital by Life flight where he is being treated for critical injuries. Mr. Waller was not injured in the crash.
The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Paulding EMS, Paulding Volunteer Fire, Gideon’s Towing and Recovery, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
US24 was closed during the crash investigation and subsequent scene clean-up for just over 4 hours. The roadway is now open with no traffic restrictions.
Both drivers involved were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash and the crash remains under investigation.
