Area man dies in Putnam County crash

COLUMBUS GROVE – An area man was killed in a two-vehicle accident being investigated by the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

According to investigating troopers, a 2007 Pontiac G6 driven by Kayla Meyer, 19, of Leipsic, was headed west on Ohio 12 and crossed the centerline on a curve near the village of Columbus Grove. The Pontiac struck a 1992 Mercury Cougar driven east by Jacob Graham, 21, of Gomer, head-on.

The Mercury was pushed off the south of the road and came to rest in a ditch, while the Meyer vehicle continued partially off the roadway, but then came to rest in the eastbound lane. Troopers said Graham was trapped in his vehicle for a short time before being freed by fire and EMS personnel.

After being extricated from his car, Graham was taken to St. Rita’s Ambulatory Care Center in Ottawa, where he was pronounced dead by the Putnam County Coroner Dr. Anna Horstman. Meyer was also taken to the Ottawa ambulatory care center by Ottawa EMS and later transferred to Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay, where she was treated for minor injuries and released.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, Columbus Grove Fire and EMS, Ottawa Fire Department, Putnam County Emergency Services and the Columbus Grove Police Department.

Alcohol is not considered a factor in the accident. Meyer was using her seatbelt, while Graham’s automatic should restraint was in use, but he was not wearing the lap restraint belt.

The crash remains under investigation.