RIDGE TWP, Ohio — A serious injury crash involving three vehicles occurred in Van Wert County on Sunday afternoon, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post. At around 4:06 p.m., a crash occurred on U.S. Route 30 near milepost 16.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Lester Montenegro, 30, of Indianapolis, Indiana, was driving a 2010 Toyota Corolla eastbound on U.S. 30 when he crossed the median into the westbound lanes. The vehicle then collided with a 2015 Ford Escape driven by Kelley Lenehan, 42, of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The collision between the two vehicles occurred head-on. Following the initial collision, the Toyota was hit by a 2013 white Dodge Ram 2500 driven by 21-year-old Brandon Garrett of Murray, Kentucky, who was also driving westbound.
All vehicles came to a stop in the grass median. Montenegro was taken to St. Rita’s Hospital in Lima with severe injuries. Mercy Health Life Flight evacuated a rear passenger in Montenegro’s vehicle from the scene due to serious injuries. Lenehan, the driver of the Ford Escape, was taken to Van Wert Hospital with serious injuries. Garrett, the Dodge driver, was treated on the scene for minor injuries. All three drivers were wearing seatbelts.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds drivers that they should never drive while distracted. The crash is still under investigation.
