Jackson Township – The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle injury crash that occurred on State Route 637 just north of State Route 613, west of the Village of Oakwood, in Paulding County.
On February 25, 2017, at approximately 11:17 P.M., a 1995 Ford Escort, operated by Scott W. Rhoades, age 46, of Middle Point, Ohio was traveling south on State Route 637. Mr. Rhoades went off the left side of the roadway, re-entered the roadway, went off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch.
Mr. Rhoades was transported by Samaritan Life-Flight to Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The vehicle sustained disabling damage and was towed by R&O Towing.
Mr. Rhoades’ vehicle was equipped with an automatic shoulder strap seat belt, in which he was wearing, however, he was reportedly not wearing the lap portion of the seat belt. Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash and crash remains under investigation.
State Troopers with the Van Wert Post were assisted on scene by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Paulding County Fire and EMS, Samaritan Life-Flight and R&O Towing.
The State Patrol would like to remind motorists to always wear a properly adjusted seat belt, to include both shoulder and lap straps, and to never operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
