News Release

02/21/2024

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach announced that deputies are investigating a traffic crash that occurred Wednesday morning. Sheriff Riggenbach stated the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call at 0657 hours of a head on crash on US 224 and Old Tile Factory Rd. The vehicles involved were a 2020 Chrysler minivan that was driven by Carrie Jo Lamm of Fort Recovery, Ohio and 1997 Kenworth tractor trailer driven by Ronald L. Sallee of Niles, Michigan.

Lamm was trapped and had to be extricated from her vehicle. She was then flown by Lutheran Air from the scene to Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, with serious injuries.

Sallee sustained minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene. Sheriff Riggenbach advised the crash remains under investigation.