2 seriously injured in Ohio 116 accident

Van Wert independent/OSHP information

Three people were hurt and two remain hospitalized following a two-vehicle accident that occurred Saturday evening at the intersection of Ringwald Road and Ohio 116.

Eileen Manken, 56, of Van Wert was listed in critical condition and Morgan K. Pugh, 17, of Venedocia, was said to be in “serious” condition Sunday afternoon by officials of Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. Both were life-flighted to the Fort Wayne hospital following the accident, which occurred at approximately 6 p.m. Saturday.

According to troopers of the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Manken was driving east on Ohio 116 when a vehicle operated by Pugh, which was southbound on Ringwald Road, failed to yield the right-of-way at the intersection with Route 116, drove into the path of the Manken vehicle and was struck on the right side. Both vehicles then veered off the southeast corner of the intersection, struck several signs and rolled over several times before coming to rest in a field.

Manken was trapped in her vehicle and later extricated by firefighters from the Van Wert and Middle Point fire departments. She was flown from the scene by Samaritan Life Flight to Parkview. A passenger in her vehicle, Charles Johnson of Van Wert, was also taken to Parkview Hospital, but was treated and released.

Pugh was first taken by Advanced Life Support squad to Van Wert County Hospital and was later flown to Parkview by Samaritan helicopter.

Troopers were also assisted at the scene by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department and Lima Patrol post. The accident remains under investigation.