Delphos – On November 13, at approximately 2:55 p.m., troopers from the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were dispatched to a two vehicle crash involving a commercial tractor trailer on US 30 near Delphos.
A 2003 Dodge Dakota, driven by James M. Patterson, age 36, of Van Wert, was traveling east bound on US 30 when he lost control, traveled through the median and into the west bound lanes, and collided with a 2019 Peterbuilt Tractor, driven by William D. Wolfe, age 79, of West Cliffe, Colorado.
The collision between the two vehicles caused the Dodge to catch fire. Mr. Patterson, along with a passenger, Jeremy A. Shults, age 30, of Van Wert, were pronounced dead at the scene by the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
Mr. Wolfe and his passenger, Linda M. Rinda-Wolfe, age 61, were treated for minor injuries and released.
The commercial trailer contained sulfuric acid, a hazardous material. There was no leakage of the material detected. The crash caused a temporary lane closure to US 30, which has since been reopened.
Seat belts were in use by all parties, and alcohol or drugs are not suspected to be a factor in the crash. The Lima Post was assisted on scene by the Allen County Coroner’s Office, Delphos Police Department, Delphos Fire and EMS, American Township Fire and EMS, Allen County Emergency Management Agency, Beaverdam Fleet, Knippen Towing, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to never drive impaired or distracted and always wear a properly adjusted safety belt.
