Melrose teenager dies in area crash

Ohio State Highway Patrol information

A Melrose teenager was killed Wednesday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Ohio 637 in Hoaglin Township.

Robert A. Seffernick, 17, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by Van Wert County Coroner Dr. Scott Jarvis.

According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Seffernick was driving a 2002 Chrysler Sebring north on Ohio 637 when he apparently lost control of the vehicle on the snow-covered roadway and slid left of center, where it was hit by a southbound 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by David Simko, 64, of Toledo.

The Jeep overturned and both vehicles came to rest off the west side of the roadway. Both Seffernick and Simko were wearing their seatbelts. Simko was trapped in his vehicle and had to be extricated by emergency personnel who responded to the crash scene. He was then transported with serious injuries to Parkview North Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Ind., by Samaritan LifeFlight helicopter. In addition to wearing his seatbelt, Simko’s front and side airbags also deployed, which helped lessen his injuries.

Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash and the investigation is continuing.

Also assisting at the scene were the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Grover Hill Volunteer Fire and EMS, Brickner Ambulance Service, Delpha Chevrolet towing and Straightline Auto Body.