Motorcyclist ‘critical’ after area crash

Ohio State Highway Patrol information

PAULDING COUNTY — The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a serious injury crash that occurred at 6:40 Friday evening on County Road 171, south of the Ohio 637 intersection in northeast Paulding County.

A 1999 Pontiac Bonneville driven by Chasity S. Cunningham of Toledo was traveling southbound and attempted to turn left into a private drive on County Road 171. A 2000 Buell motorcycle driven by Daniel W. Bennett of Paulding County was headed north on County Road 171. The driver of the Pontiac Bonneville failed to yield to the motorcycle and was struck in the passenger side as it crossed the motorcycle’s lane of travel.  The driver of the Pontiac and a passenger, Holly A Shively of Toledo, were not injured.

The motorcycle driver was treated at the scene by Oakwood EMS and flown by Samaritan LifeFlight to Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Oakwood EMS, Auglaize Township Fire Department, Samaritan LifeFlight, and R & O Wrecker Service of Oakwood.

The crash is still under investigation.  Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash. The motorcycle driver was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and he is currently listed as “critical” at Parkview Regional Hospital.