Ridge Township – On August 18, 2020 at approximately 3:34 P.M., Troopers from the Van Wert Post responded to an injury crash at the intersection of State Route 116 and Middle Point Road in Ridge Township, in Van Wert County.
John Bill Jr., age 43, of Van Wert was driving a 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe westbound on Middle Point Road. Edwin Eickholt, age 62, of Venedocia was driving a 2012 Ford F-150 southeast on State Route 116. Stacy Strick, age 55, of Van Wert was driving a 2015 Toyota Avalon and was stopped at the stop sign facing eastbound on State Route 116. Bill Jr. failed to yield the right of way at the stop sign and was struck by Eickholt. Bill Jr. struck Strick, drove off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Eickholt continued off the right side of the roadway and overturned. All three drivers sustained injury and were transported to Van Wert Health by ambulance. Two juvenile occupants in Bill Jr’s vehicle were transported by helicopter to Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo. The juvenile occupants were not wearing safety belts at the time of the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Van Wert Police Department, Middle Point Fire Department, Middle Point EMS, Van Wert Fire Department, Van Wert EMS, Saint Vincent’s Life Flight, Samaritan Life Flight, Superior Collision, Hague’s Towing and Straightline Auto Body.
The crash remains under investigation.
