(5-28-24) On May 28, 2024, at approximately 7:27 a.m., troopers from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a serious injury crash that occurred on Van Wert Decatur Road, east of US Route 224 in Van Wert County.

Kimberly Allred (59) of Dandridge, Tennessee, was driving a 2012 Toyota 4-Runner eastbound on Van Wert Decatur Road when she pulled to the side of the roadway and stopped. After stopping briefly, Allred began to complete a U-turn, turning into the path of an eastbound semi. The semi, a 2021 Kenworth, was driven by Justin Rogers (32) of Convoy, Ohio.

Allred was extricated from her vehicle by personnel from the Van Wert Fire Department before being flown from the scene to Parkview Medical Center by Samaritan. Rogers was uninjured in the crash.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Van Wert Fire Department, Van Wert Police Department, Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, Samaritan Medical Transport, Van Wert County EMA, Knippen Towing, and Hague Towing and Repair.

The crash remains under investigation.