Driver Jack McGowan, 58, and his passenger, Candy S. Dowdy, 49, both of South Webster, each were transported by Perry Township EMS and Allen Township EMS to Memorial Hospital in Marysville for treatment of suspected serious injuries following a crash the evening of Friday, Jan. 6.
Deputies of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office report Michelle M. Gebers, 56, of Eldorado, was operating an eastbound semi tractor-trailer in the left lane of U.S. Route 33 near State Route 347 about 10:05 p.m.
Gebers attempted to change lanes into the right lane and struck the driver’s side of an eastbound 2011 Toyota Corolla operated by Mr. McGowan that was traveling in the right lane. The impact sent the car across the left lane and off the left side of the road.
Damage was heavy to the car and moderate to the semi. Gebers did not report any injuries and was cited for a marked lanes violation.
All of the occupants were wearing their seat belts.
Weapons charges filed in traffic stop
Damon C. Lensman, 46, of Mt. Gilead, was charged with a felony count of having weapons under disability related to a traffic stop Saturday afternoon, Jan. 7.
Deputies on patrol in the area of south U.S. Route 68 near Hickory Drive about 1:35 p.m. observed that his vehicle had a loud muffler and initiated the stop.
While speaking with Lensman, deputies observed that he was shaking and visibly nervous. They asked him to step out of the vehicle, and then deputies noticed a suspected crack pipe in plain view inside the vehicle.
K9 Thor was deployed on the vehicle for an exterior free air sniff. The canine alerted on the vehicle and then the defendant told deputies that there was rifle on the front passenger floorboard of the vehicle.
During a probable cause search of the vehicle, deputies recovered the crack pipe containing a white residue and a .22-caliber rifle, along with 500 rounds of bullets and a magazine within arm’s reach.
Also in the center console of the vehicle, deputies recovered a small baggie with suspected cocaine residue, along with a baggie of “fake urine.”
He was placed under arrest and transported to the Logan County Jail. Officers of the West Liberty Police Department also assisted at the scene.