Delarcy R. Akin, 29, of Grove City, was cited for marked lanes related to a non-injury crash Thursday morning, Feb. 9, that shut down eastbound U.S. Route 33 near U.S. Route 68 for approximately five hours.
Akin reportedly was operating an eastbound semi tractor-trailer on U.S. 33 in the right lane about 7:20 a.m. when he began changing lanes into the left lane, striking the front passenger side of an eastbound 2017 Honda Fit operated by Ernest J. Vehorn, 59, of Botkins. Both vehicles then came to a rest on the side of the road.
Deputies said the semi’s fuel tank was punctured as a result of the crash and the semi lost approximately 50 gallons or more of diesel fuel onto eastbound U.S. 33.
Then passing traffic began to spread the fuel across an estimated 150 feet or more, causing the roadway to become extremely hazardous for vehicle travel, deputies said.
Eastbound U.S. 33 was shut down so that the Logan County Hazardous Materials Team, Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency could treat the road.
Top’s Towing also responded and provided a “hazmat spill clean up” to make the roadway safe again. The road reopened around 12:30 p.m., deputies said.
Both the semi and the Honda Fit sustained heavy damage and were towed from the scene, also with the assistance of Shafer’s Towing.
• Caleb D. Cooper, 32, of Bellefontaine, was cited for a stop sign violation related to a non-injury crash Thursday evening at County Road 18 and Township Road 216.
Deputies report Cooper was operating a southeastbound 2008 Mercury Mariner on T.R. 216 about 9:35 p.m. and stopped at the stop sign. He then proceeded into the intersection and was struck on the driver’s side by a southwestbound 2003 Jeep Wrangler operated by Charles R. Garver, 44, of DeGraff.
The Cooper vehicle also struck a guardrail before coming to a rest. There was no apparent damage to the guardrail, deputies said.
Damage was heavy to the Garver vehicle, which was towed from the scene, and light to the Cooper vehicle. The motorists were wearing their seat belts.
• Wyatt L. Folk, 17, of Bellefontaine, was cited for failure to control following a non-injury crash about 7:25 p.m. Thursday.
Deputies report he was operating an eastbound 2006 Hummer H2 in the 3100 block of County Road 29 when he lost control on a curve and went off the right side of the road.
Damage was heavy to the vehicle, which was towed from the scene.
Crash results in OVI charge
Hunter D. Kagy, 25, of Raymond, was charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drug related to a crash Saturday, Feb. 11.
Deputies report Kagy was operating a northbound 2019 Nissan Altima about 3:30 p.m. on Township Road 145 near U.S. 33 when he failed to stop when the road ended, went around the guardrail and into a field and struck a ditch.
Upon arrival, deputies observed Kagy’s vehicle along the berm of U.S. 33. Kagy was standing outside of the vehicle and stated that he “kinda ran off the road,” also telling deputies that he had two shots before he left the bar that day.
Deputies said the defendant was unsteady on his feet and showed other signs of intoxication. He refused to participate in field sobriety tests and in a chemical breath test and was released to a sober party.
Kagy also was cited for failure to control. Damage was moderate to the car, which was towed from the scene.