State Patrol

A LaRue man was killed Monday afternoon when he collided with an Elgin school bus while he was riding an ATV. The Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol reports the fatal crash occurred on Monday, February 6, 2012 at 4:21 pm on LaRue-Mount Victory Road, west of Clark Road, in Bowling Green Township.

The Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol says a Prospect woman was killed in a crash that occurred at 11:22 pm Tuesday, January 31, on Dunbar Road north of State Route 47.

One person was killed and injured two others on Friday. The Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol says the crash occurred at 11:26 am on Fairground Road, east of Madison Avenue.

Troopers report their preliminary investigation indicates that a 1994 Chevrolet Astro van was traveling eastbound on Fairground Road and struck the left side of a 2007 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Richard E. Lessig, II, 40, of Marion. At the time, the truck was stranded across the roadway at a driveway access.

Troopers from the Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating a serious injury crash that occurred on Sunday, January 15, at 2:00pm on US 23 near Somerlot-Hoffman Road in Marion County. 

The crash involved a 2007 Honda Odyssey driven by Trae Damron, 18 of Marion, and a 2005 Volvo semi tractor-trailer driven by Meldon Lewis Jr., 40 of Detroit, MI.

Tpr. Brandon D. Spalding was promoted to the rank of sergeant Monday by Colonel John Born, Patrol superintendent, during a ceremony at the Patrol’s Academy. Sgt. Spalding will transfer from his current assignment at the Bucyrus Post to serve as an assistant commander of the Marion Post.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is warning drivers about the dangers of driving in winter weather and is offering some tips on what drivers should do in the event of a vehicle break down or a crash.

From December 2010 through March 2011, 37,429 crashes occurred on snow, ice or slush covered roadways killing 46 people and injuring 7,844. Speed was reported as the main cause in 77 percent of these crashes.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is warning drivers: If you choose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. As part of the Patrol’s mantra – Trooper Shield – and their ongoing effort to contribute to a safer Ohio, troopers have had increased focus on impaired driving enforcement in 2011. Through December 11, troopers have arrested 1,383 more drivers for OVI than during the same period in 2010.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be out in full force this holiday season removing dangerous and impaired drivers in an effort to reach historic lows in the number of people killed on Ohio’s roadways in 2011. Last year fatalities increased to 1,080 over a record low of 1,022 in 2009.

There is simply no disputing that wearing a safety belt can save your life, says the Ohio State Highway Patrol. That is why they are encouraging all motorists to buckle-up this holiday season and continue to do so throughout the New Year. Last year more than 60 percent of the people killed on Ohio’s roadways were not wearing a safety belt.

Provisional numbers released today by the Ohio State Highway Patrol show fewer motorists were killed on Ohio’s roadways this Thanksgiving Holiday. During the reporting period, which began Wednesday, November 23, at 12:00 a.m., and ran through Sunday, November 27, at 11:59 p.m., 14 people were killed on Ohio’s roadways.