Troopers with the Ohio Highway Patrol are investigating a fatal crash that occurred Monday morning around 8 on US-224 in Van Wert County. A vehicle driven by 18 year old Matthew Niemeyer was westbound on U.S. 224 when he missed a curve, ran off the road, and then hit a ditch and utility pole.
Niemeyer and a passenger, 17 year old Brandon Kimmet were both taken to Van Wert County Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
Another passenger, 17 year old Christopher Mohr, who was riding in the back seat, was thrown from the vehicle. Mohr was taken by air ambulance to St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima. Another rear seat passenger, 17 year old Jacob Guy, was also thrown from the vehicle. Guy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers say none of them were wearing safety belts at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation today.