Troopers from the Bowling Green Patrol Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating a wrong way driver injury crash that occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 75, just south of Ohio 18, near North Baltimore.
On July 5, at approximately 6:26 p.m., a 2016 Jeep Patriot driven by Marie Woodruff, age 80, of North Baltimore, entered the exit ramp from I-75 to Route 18 going the wrong direction. The vehicle continued a short distance in the right lane of I-75 going the wrong direction until it collided with a 2014 Freightliner commercial tractor-trailer that was northbound in the right lane of I-75.
The tractor-trailer, was operated by Eric Wilson, age 42, of Wixom, Michigan. Wilson swerved to the right to avoid striking Woodruff’s vehicle, but the Jeep hit the semi head on. After impact, the commercial tractor-trailer ran off the left side of the road and struck the concrete median wall and the Jeep spun around and came to rest in the center lane.
A 2012 Toyota Camry operated by Sarina Sangal, age 20, of Maumee, was northbound on I-75 in the middle lane. A 2014 Chevrolet Impala, operated by Kurtis Lucht, age 22, of Deerfield, Michigan, was northbound on I-75 in the left lane. Both vehicles swerved to avoid the commercial tractor-trailer, and in swerving, the Camry struck the Impala.
Impairment by alcohol and/or drugs is not believed to be a factor. All parties were wearing seatbelts. Wilson and Woodruff had minor injuries and were transported to local area hospitals. Sangal and Lucht were not injured.
Woodruff was cited for driving the wrong direction on the interstate. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the North Baltimore Police Department, North Baltimore Fire & EMS, Bloomdale EMS, Wright’s Towing, and Ed’s Towing.
