The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a three vehicle, fatal traffic crash that occurred Monday, on U.S. 127 in Van Wert County.
At approximately 10:56 am, a vehicle, operated by 30 year old Zachary J. Wood, of Convoy, OH was traveling southbound on U.S. 127 and had stopped to make a left turn into a private drive. Another vehicle, operated by 61 year old Timothy A. Kiester, of Berrien Springs, MI was traveling southbound on U.S. 127 behind the Wood vehicle and failed to maintain assured clear distance ahead, striking Wood’s vehicle in the rear. The collision caused the Wood vehicle to travel into the northbound lane of U.S. 127 where it was struck by a semi, operated by 33 year old Christopher E. Poland, of Niles, OH.
Zachary Wood and his passenger, 29 year old Logan G. Elder, of Van Wert, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the traffic crash and were pronounced deceased at the scene by the Van Wert County Coroner’s Office.
Christopher Poland was transported from the scene by Ohio City EMS to Ohio Health–Van Wert for injuries sustained in the crash.
The traffic crash remains under investigation.