Man injured in two-car accident on 118

Van Wert independent

OHIO CITY – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a two-vehicle injury crash that occurred at 4:51 p.m. Sunday on Ohio 118, two miles north of Ohio City in Liberty Township.

According to investigating troopers from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Michael S. Carey, 30, of Celina, was taken to Van Wert County Hospital for treatment, and was later transferred to a Fort Wayne, Indiana, hospital for further treatment related to injuries received in the accident. The other driver in the accident, Scott A. Hileman, 37, of Van Wert, was reportedly uninjured.

According to troopers, Carey was driving a 2003 Buick Rendezvous northbound on Ohio 118 when he came upon a slower moving 1992 Honda Accord driven by Hileman, who was following slower traffic. Carey then hit Hileman’s vehicle, which was unable to avoid the crash, with Carey’s vehicle veering off the right side of the roadway, where it struck a ditch and overturned.

During the crash investigation, troopers found that Carey was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash and was allegedly operating his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. He refused troopers’ requests for tests at the hospital.

The Patrol was assisted on scene by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio City Volunteer Fire and EMS, and Knippen’s Towing and Recovery.

Carey was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash and his injuries could have been minimized with the use of his seat belt. The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.

The Patrol urges motorists to not drive distracted, obey speed limits, and always wear a properly adjusted seat belt while in a motor vehicle.