The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a fatal crash that occurred at approximately 11:53 P.M. on Tuesday evening, December 25, 2018, on County Road 144 just east of Township Road 83 in Paulding County.
A 2013 Ford Fusion, operated by Joel Molina, age 19, of Paulding, Ohio, was westbound on County Road 144. A Case farm tractor / implement operated by Francis Maag, age 46, of Paulding, Ohio, was also westbound on County Road 144. The Ford struck the rear of the implement and slid off of the right side of the road where it came to final rest in a ditch.
Molina was trapped within the motor vehicle and required extrication to be freed. The driver was transported by Samaritan to Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana for serious injuries.
The Ford was occupied by three passengers, Ever Alvarez Gomez, age 25, Ranulfo Lopez Perez, age 23, and Victor Alvarez Hernandez, age 20, all of Paulding, Ohio. Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Joseph Kuhn, Paulding County Coroner. Both Alvarez Gomez, and Lopez Perez were transported to Paulding Hospital to be treated. Both were then transported to Parkview Regional for additional treatment. Maag was listed as uninjured.
The Van Wert Post was assisted on scene by Paulding Fire and EMS, Antwerp Fire and EMS, Samaritan, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, and R and O Towing.
Alcohol is believed to be a factor. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol encourages drivers and occupants to always where their seat belts and never drive distracted or impaired.
