Teen dies in 1-car accident on U.S. 224

Ohio State Highway Patrol information

A teenager died this morning on U.S. 224 in Van Wert County. A spokesperson for the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post said the post is investigating a fatal crash that occurred at approximately 07:58 this morning on U.S. 224, near John Yoh Road.

According to investigating troopers from the Van Wert Post, a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM driven by Matthew S. Niemeyer, 18, of Fort Jennings, was traveling west on U.S. 224 and Niemeyer was negotiating a curve in the roadway when he drove off the right side of the road, struck a ditch, and a telephone pole.  The vehicle partially overturned in the ditch and came back onto the roadway, and then traveled off the right side of the roadway, coming to rest upright after striking the ditch a second time.

Niemeyer and a front seat passenger, Brandon J. Kimmet, 17, no address listed, sustained non-life threating injuries and were transported to the Van Wert County Hospital by emergency squad. A left rear passenger, Christopher J. Mohr, 17, no address listed, was ejected from the vehicle and was air-lifted to St. Rita’s Hospital in Lima. A right rear passenger, Jacob E. Guy, 17, no address listed, was also ejected from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Patrol was assisted on scene by Scott Fire and EMS, Van Wert Fire Department, Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Life-flight, and Knippen’s Towing.

The crash remains under investigation. None of the car’s occupants were wearing safety belts, which could have minimized injuries.