Trooper Recovering Nicely

Ohio Highway Patrol Sgt. Fernando Chavez of Defiance expects a full return to work soon, just a month after his cruiser was demolished on U.S. 24 during a fatal traffic crash. We reported Chavez was writing a speeding ticket on the 24, just west of Independence Road, when his cruiser…parked on the shoulder…was hit from behind by a pickup truck that drove off the right side of the roadway. Steven Johnson, 52, of Bryan died in the accident… while his son, Justin Johnson, 28, of Defiance, driving the vehicle, was seriously hurt. He is recovering from injuries after being flown to a Toledo hospital.