FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP — The Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred on Thursday, Aug. 19, at approximately 8:20 a.m. on State Route 314 at County Road 14.
Gary L. Pettet, age 55, of Newark, Ohio, was operating a 1996 Mack CH semi-tractor southbound on State Route 314. Enos A. Wengard, age 54, of Bellville, Ohio, was operating a horse-drawn buggy southbound on State Route 314.
Wengerd was turning left onto County Road 14 as Pettett was passing in the intersection. The buggy was struck and both vehicles continued off the east side of the roadway.
The buggy was also occupied by Esther R. Wengerd, age 52, of Bellville, Ohio, and two juveniles. All occupants of the buggy were transported to OhioHealth Mansfield.
Wengerd and the juveniles sustained minor injuries and Wengerd succumbed to her injuries on Aug. 25.
Pettet was not injured. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors in this crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Morrow County EMS, Johnsville Fire Department, and the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office.
Two other fatal crashes occurred last weekend.
• Saturday, at approximately 5:43 p.m. on State Route 61 at County Road 15, in BenningtonTownship.
Brad Gerwig, age 52, of Sunbury, was operating a 2002 Ford F-250,southbound on Ohio State Route 61. Payton Jones, age 18, of Mansfield, was operating a 2009 Ford Focus eastbound on Count y Road 15.
Jones vehicle failed to yield from a stop sign, entered the intersection and was struck by Gerwig’s vehicle. Both vehicles continued off to the east side of the roadway.
Jones was pronounced deceased at the scene. Gerwig was not injured. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors in this crash. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by MorrowCounty EMS, Delaware County EMS.
• Saturday, at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Count y Road 13, near County Road 1, in Wayne Township in Knox County.
Jacob Shaffer, age 24, of Cardington, was operating a black 2008 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide motorcycle eastbound on County Road 13.
Shaffer lost control off the right side of the roadway, overturned and was ejected from the motorcycle.
Shaffer was pronounced deceased at the scene. Shaffer was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and was operating the motorcycle without a valid motorcycle endorsement.
The crashes remain under investigation by the Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
