3 seriously injured in crash on U.S. 224

VW independent/submitted information

Three people were injured in a pickup-semi tractor-trailer rig accident that occurred at the intersection of U.S. 224 and Lincoln Highway on Thursday morning.

Troopers from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that Donald L. Martin Jr., 50, of Ohio City, driver of a 1996 Ford F-150 pickup truck, sustained critical injuries in the accident and was taken by Samaritan medical transport helicopter to a Fort Wayne, Indiana, hospital. In addition, two passengers in Martin’s pickup, Austin D. Heberling, 20, of Fremont, and Frank “Scottie” Morgan, 31, of Minster, were also seriously injured in the crash. Heberling was taken by Lutheran helicopter and Morgan by a St. Vincent’s LifeFlight helicopter to Fort Wayne hospitals for treatment.

According to troopers, Martin was driving his pickup west on Lincoln Highway at approximately 10:44 a.m. Thursday when he failed to stop for a stop sign at the intersection with U.S. 224 and struck a 2013 Volvo semi-tractor trailer outfit driven north on U.S. 224 by Allen L. Shimp, 35, of Huntington, Indiana.

The collision spun Martin’s pickup into the side of the semi and then off the right side of the highway. Shimp, who was not injured in the crash, then slowed the semi and stopped it on U.S. 224.

During the investigation, U.S. 224-Lincoln Highway intersection was closed for approximately two hours, while the Ohio Department of Transportation helped divert traffic from the closed roadways.

Also assisting the Patrol at the scene was the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Van Wert Police Department, Ohio City Fire Department, Ohio City EMS squad, Van Wert Fire Department and EMS, and Superior Collision.

The crash remains under investigation. 

A 1996 Ford F-150 pickup truck (above and below) is shown following an accident with a 2013 Volvo semi-tractor trailer rig on U.S. 224, at the intersection with Lincoln Highway. photos by Rick McCoy for the Van Wert independent