Seven Hospitalized Following U.S. 30 Crash in Van Wert County

Seven people were taken to area hospitals following a two-vehicle crash early Tuesday morning in Van Wert County.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post says the crash happened at approximately 12:08 a.m. on U.S. 30 in Ridge Township. A westbound 2020 Kenworth semi driven by 57-year-old David Ray Freels of Van Wert struck the rear portion of a 2014 Mazda driven by 29-year-old Queen Rocquil Denis Alexander of South Bend, Indiana.

The semi traveled off the left side of the highway, entered the median, struck a retaining wall and came to rest in Dog Creek. Freels was extricated from the vehicle and flown to Mercy Health-St. Vincent Medical Center.

Alexander’s vehicle also traveled off the roadway. Alexander and five juvenile passengers were transported by ambulance to Mercy Health-St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, several area fire departments, the Ohio Department of Transportation, emergency-management personnel, Mercy Health Life Flight and Hague Towing and Repair assisted at the scene