Convoy-area crash claims Payne resident

VW independent staff

A crash involving a semi-truck and a car claimed the life of a Payne resident.

It occurred just after 9 a.m. Friday on U.S. 30 at Ohio 49 in Tully Township. According to a report from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a 2010 Toyota Corolla driven southbound on Ohio 49 by Kaci Rae Sentelik, 19, was struck by a 2006 Western Star 4900 driven by Grady Smith, 24, of Quincy, Michigan. Troopers said Sentelik stopped for a marked stopped sign on Ohio 49 but failed to yield to oncoming traffic and was struck on the driver’s side by Smith, who was westbound on U.S. 30. Sentelik was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Convoy Fire Department, Van Wert Fire Department, ODOT, Van Wert Coroner’s Office, Hague Towing and Repair, Harting Farms, and Gerten Deadstock.

The crash remains under investigation.