VAN WERT, Ohio – A Van Wert man was killed in a two-vehicle crash early Tuesday afternoon in Van Wert County.
According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, 92-year-old John J. Freund of Van Wert was traveling westbound on Van Wert-Decatur Road when he came to a stop at the intersection with U.S. 224. Freund then attempted to make a left turn onto U.S. 224 when his vehicle was hit by an eastbound semi driven by a Fort Wayne man. Freund was pronounced dead on the scene. The crash is still under investigation.
Van Wert – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred at 1:04 p.m. on June 17, 2025. The collision happened at the intersection of Van Wert Decatur Road and US 224 in Pleasant Township, Van Wert County.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2015 GMC Terrain driven by Van Wert resident John J. Freund, 92, was traveling westbound on Van Wert Decatur Road. Before attempting to turn left onto US 224, Mr. Freund stopped at the posted stop sign at the intersection. Mr. Freund failed to yield to oncoming traffic and was struck by a 2022 Volvo semi driven by Adnan Perenda, 51, of Fort Wayne, IN, while traveling eastbound on US 224. Mr. Freund was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on the scene by the Van Wert Police Department, Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Van Wert Fire Department, Van Wert County Coroner’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency, CERT, and Hague Towing and Repair.
The crash remains under investigation.
