3 hurt in one-car crash near Paulding

Ohio State Highway Patrol information

PAULDING — The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred at 3:50 p.m. Thursday on County Road 111, east of Paulding in Paulding County.

A 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Thomas A. Lantow, 17, of Latty, was traveling east on County Road 111 when Lantow lost control of the Pontiac, which then struck a utility pole and overturned.  Lantow and two passengers were all injured in the crash.  The front seat passenger, Riley J. Bidlack, 16, of Paulding, was trapped in the vehicle and removed by non-mechanical means, while the rear seat passenger, Jeremy J. Landwehr, 17, of Cloverdale, was thrown from the vehicle by the force of the crash.

Lantow was taken by EMS to  Paulding County Hospital, while both passengers were flown by Samaritan helicopter to Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The utility pole, owned by AEP, was badly damaged and power lines were down at the scene. An AEP crew was on scene for several hours restoring electric service to nearby residences.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was also assisted on scene by the Paulding Fire Department and EMS, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Paulding Police Department, and Gideon Wrecker Service.

The crash remains under investigation, but alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash. Seatbelts were not in use at the time of the crash, but may have reduced injuries to the occupants and driver.