A Cygnet man is dead, and another man is in critical condition following a two-car crash this morning (Sunday, 7/16) on Rudolph Road near Powell Road in Liberty Township.
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at 7:36 .m.
The sheriff’s office reports that the crash involved a 2020 Ram Pickup Truck driven by Justus Chapa, 23, of Wauseon and a 2005 Buick LaCrosse sedan driven by Austin A. Ogg, 22 of Cygnet.
The investigation showed that the truck was traveling northbound on Rudolph Road and the sedan was traveling southbound on Rudolph Rd. Ogg attempted to pass a vehicle ahead and entered the lane of travel of the Ram Truck. Both drivers attempted unsuccessfully to avoid the crash. The Buick slid causing the Ram Truck to strike it on the passenger side.
Ogg was pronounce dead at the scene. The passenger of the Buick LaCrosse, identified as Markis* D. Higley, 20 of Leipsic, was transported to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo in critical condition. Neither occupant of the Buick LaCrosse was wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision.
Chapa, who was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the collision, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene and released.
Assisting the Wood County Sheriff’s Office on location was Central-Joint Fire Department, Mid-County 120 EMS, Weston EMS, Frank’s Automotive, Tommy Boy Towing and the Wood County Highway Garage.
The crash remains under investigation.
*The Sheriff’s Office originally reported the first name as Dean.
The section of Rudolph Road was closed for about four hours because of the incident.
