*Update* – October 15, 2016 at 03:54 PM, Alexis Bickle died as a result of her injuries**
York Township – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating an injury crash that occurred at approximately 3:32 P.M. Wednesday afternoon on Greenville Road just west of Mendon Road, in Van Wert County.
A 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Alexis Bickle, age 16, of Rockford, Ohio was eastbound on Greenville Road. After exiting a curve, Ms. Bickle drove off of the right side of the road and overcorrected sliding left of center, off of the left side of the road, and struck a tree where the vehicle came to final rest.
Two passengers in the vehicle, Chandler Brown, age 15, of Rockford, Ohio, and Braden Rice, age 15, of Celina, Ohio sustained injury. Brown, was transported by Mercer EMS to Van Wert County Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Rice was transported by Samaritan to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Bickle was transported by Lutheran Air also to Lutheran Hospital where she is still listed in critical condition. Seatbelts were utilized by both Bickle and Brown. Seatbelt use for Rice is unknown.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Van Wert Sheriff’s Office, Mercer EMS, Ohio City Fire and EMS, Van Wert EMS, Lutheran Air, Samaritan, and Straightline Towing.
Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation. The Ohio State Highway Patrol encourages drivers and occupants to always where their seat belts no matter how short the drive and to never drive distracted.
