(6-28-24) The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway reported that after 10:30pm Thursday night near the intersection of County Road 138 and Township Road 117 in Paulding County.

A 2003 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Jessica Renee Sauder (33) of Paulding was traveling east on CR 138. Christopher Lynn Smith (44) of Paulding was walking east on 138 in the eastbound lane of travel. He was struck by Sauder’s vehicle. Medics transported Smith to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department, Paulding Fire and EMS, and Gideon’s Wrecker Service.