Wayne Trace school bus in injury crash

Ohio State Highway Patrol information

HAVILAND — The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating an injury crash involving a Wayne Trace Elementary School bus that occurred at 9:40 this morning on U.S. 127 north of County Road 60 in Latty Township, Paulding County.

According to investigating troopers, a 2002 Saturn driven by Jacob Dingus, 17, of Paulding, was southbound on U.S. 127, while a 2004 Bluebird school bus, driven by Vicky Etzler, 45, of Payne, was headed north from Wayne Trace High School on U.S. 127.

Dingus was reportedly distracted and his vehicle drifted left of center. Etzler took evasive action and drove off the right side of the roadway in an attempt to avoid the car, but the Dingus auto struck the school bus in the left side, disabling the bus, which came to rest  across both lanes of U.S. 127. Dingus’ auto continued off the left side of the roadway, coming to rest in a plowed field.

The Saturn sustained severe disabling damage, while the school bus sustained moderate damage to the left side. Dingus was transported to Van Wert County Hospital by the Scott EMS squad, where he was treated and released. Side impact and front airbags were deployed in his vehicle during the crash. Volunteer squad personnel treated Etzler and two students on the school bus at the scene.

The use of seat belts, along with the air bag deployment, lessened the injuries sustained in this crash.   The crash is still under investigation and additional information will be made available at a later date.

U.S. 127 was temporarily closed during the investigation and scene cleanup.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Scott Volunteer Fire and EMS, Gideon’s Towing and Recovery, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.