Trucker cited for accident that injures 4

Ohio State Highway Patrol information

ROCKFORD — The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle injury crash that occurred Thursday on Ohio 118 south of the Village of Rockford.

At 1:58 Thursday afternoon, a 2004 Volvo semi tractor trailer operated by Mark Keber, 58, of Ohio City, was traveling south on Ohio 118 south of Rockford and failed to maintain an assured clear distance ahead and rear-ended a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Amanda Wellbaum, 32, of Lima. Wellbaum was initially southbound on State Route 118 and began slowing down due to the traffic conditions ahead.

Wellbaum and a front seat passenger in her vehicle, Kimmie Parker, 62 of Pandora, sustained non-life threatening injuries. A rear-seat passenger, Katie Wellbaum, 8, also sustained non-life threatening injuries, while another rear-seat passenger, Olivia Wellbaum, 3, sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries.  All injured occupants were transported to Van Wert County Hospital for treatment.

A passenger in the semi, Scott Keber, 23, of Ohio City, Ohio was not injured.

The crash resulted in a temporary closure of State Route 118, which later re-opened.

All occupants in both vehicles were reported to be properly restrained and alcohol use is not a factor. Keber was cited for failing to maintain assured clear distance ahead.

The Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Rockford Fire and EMS and the Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers assisted the Van Wert Post at the accident scene.