(9-23-26) The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a two-vehicle, serious injury crash that occurred on September 22, 2026, at approximately 12:08 A.M., on US-30 near Mile Post 19 in Van Wert County.
A 2020 Kenworth T680 Semi was being operated by David Ray Freels (57) of Van Wert, was westbound on US-30. A 2014 Mazda CX-9 was being operated by Queen Rocquil Denis Alexander (29) of South Bend, IN, was westbound on US-30 traveling in front of Freels Semi. The Mazda CX-9 was struck in the rear by the Kenworth Semi and traveled off the left side of the roadway. The Kenworth Semi went off the left side of the roadway, into the median, and struck retaining wall before coming to rest in Dog Creek.
Alexander and her five juvenile passengers were transported by EMS to Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima. Freels had to be extricated from his vehicle before being flown from scene to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center by life flight.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Middle Point Fire Department, Ohio City Fire Department, Convoy Fire Department, Scott Fire Department, Delphos Fire Department, Van Wert Fire Department, American Township Fire Department, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Hague Towing and Repair, Mercy Health Life Flight, and Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
The crash remains under investigation.
