Milford Township – The Defiance Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred on Hicksville-Edgerton Road north of Kramer Road in Defiance County’s Milford Township.
On Sunday, February 5th at approximately 11:17pm a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Joshua Pettit, age 38, of Edgerton, Ohio was traveling northbound on Hicksville-Edgerton Road north of Kramer Road and was attempting to elude deputies from the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. Pettit failed to maintain control of the vehicle and traveled off the east edge of the roadway. Mr. Pettit overcorrected traveling off the west side of the roadway. Mr. Pettit’s vehicle continued into a field before overturning. Mr. Pettit was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. Mr. Pettit was pronounced dead at the scene by the Defiance County Coroner.
A passenger in the vehicle, Corey A. Apt, age 37, of Edgerton, Ohio sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported by Williams County EMS to the Bryan Hospital for treatment.
Excessive speed and alcohol use are suspected as factors in the crash and the crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted in the investigation by the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office, Williams County Sheriff’s Office, Edgerton Fire Department, Williams County EMS, the Defiance County Coroner’s Office, and John’s Towing.
