(PRESS RELEASE) Springfield Township, Williams County – The Defiance Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on August 7 at approximately 12:10 P.M, at the intersection of U.S. Route 6 and State Route 66 in Springfield Township, Williams County.
A 2021 Ford Transit Van operated by Timothy C. Crowley Jr, age 35, of Toledo, Ohio, and his front seat passenger, Shayn Vincent Gonzalez, age 29, of Toledo, Ohio, were traveling north on State Route 66.
A 1997 Peterbilt 379 tractor trailer operated by Jordan M. Luecke, age 30, of Huntsville, Missouri, was traveling east on U.S. Route 6.
Mr. Crowley failed to yield at the posted stop sign on State Route 66, striking Mr. Luecke’s vehicle in the side. The Transit Van traveled off the southeast side of the intersection and overturned, striking a fence before coming to rest on its side.
Mr. Crowley and Mr. Gonzalez were not wearing safety belts and Mr. Crowley was ejected from the vehicle. Mr. Crowley was pronounced dead at the crash scene.
Mr. Gonzalez was transported by Life Flight to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo with serious injuries. Mr. Leucke was wearing a safety belt and was not injured.
A portion of U.S. Route 6 east of State Route 66 was closed for approximately six hours.
Defiance Post Troopers were assisted at the crash scene by Ohio Department of Transportation, Ridgeville Township, Bryan Fire Department, Fulton County EMS, Williams County EMS / EMA, and Springfield Township-Stryker Fire Department. The Williams County Sheriff’s Office, the Williams County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Williams’ County Coroner’s Office also assisted. John’s Towing assisted with the recovery of both vehicles.
The crash remains under investigation. The Ohio State Highway Patrol wants to remind motorists to always wear their safety belts and to never drive distracted.