Two fatal crashes are being investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in Lake Township. Troopers from the Bowling Green Patrol Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred in the southbound lanes of Interstate 280, just south of the Walbridge Road overpass in Wood County.
On Friday at approximately 3:30 p.m., a 2016 Freightliner commercial tractor-trailer, operated by Lawrence Nastal III, age 28, of Southgate, Michigan, struck several vehicles that were backed up in stop and go traffic. The truck first struck a 2008 Buick Lucerne, operated by Anthony Reino, age 47, of Gibsonburg. The impact pushed the Buick off the right side of the roadway.
After striking the Buick the truck continued on and struck a 2013 Jeep Wrangler, operated by Lisa Balsizer, age 54, of Gibsonburg, and a 2017 Buick Enclave, operated by Joseph Demarco, age 66, of Vermilion. After the truck struck those vehicles, it ran off the right side of the road and overturned. The Jeep also went off the right side of the road and caught fire.
The impact with the truck caused the Buick to strike a 2014 Ford Focus, operated by Brad Lily, age 34, of Caledonia, Michigan, and a 2012 Peterbilt commercial tractor-tanker, operated by Christopher White, age 42, of Kentwood, Louisiana.
A 2017 Volvo, operated by Kimberly Turner, age 54, of Berkley, Michigan, and a 2012 Nissan, operated by Diane Robinson, age 57, of Broadview Heights, sustained minor damage from debris.
The operator of the Jeep, Lisa Balsizer and the right rear passenger, Callie Balsizer, age 21, of Gibsonburg, suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene. The front right passenger, Carl Balsizer, age 65, of Gibsonburg, suffered major injuries.
Lawrence Nastal III, Anthony Reino, and Joseph Demarco all suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash and were transported to local hospitals.
Impairment by alcohol and/or drugs is not believed to be a factor. All parties were wearing seatbelts. The crash remains under investigation at this time. The road was closed for approximately six hours.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Walbridge Police Department, Lake Township Police Department, Lake Township Fire & EMS, Northwood Fire & EMS, Pat & Son’s Towing, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Also on Friday, another fatal crash occurred in Ohio 795 in Lake Township.
Troopers from the Bowling Green Patrol Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating the crash that occurred near I-280 in Wood County.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., a 1991 Kawasaki motorcycle, operated by Kevin Silva, age 39, of Rossford, was westbound on Route 795. A 2003 Chevrolet, operated by Christina Lavoie, age 43, of Erie, Michigan, was eastbound on Route 795 and was turning into a gas station. The Kawasaki struck the Chevrolet and Silva was thrown from his motorcycle.
Silva suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Lavoie was uninjured.
The crash remains under investigation at this time. Silva was wearing a helmet and Lavoie was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Lake Township Police Department, Lake Township Fire & EMS, and Pat & Son’s Towing.
