NORTHWEST TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WOWO) — The Defiance Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a serious injury crash involving a commercial vehicle that occurred Tuesday morning at the intersection of State Route 49 and the Ohio Turnpike in Williams County.
The crash was reported at approximately 8:05 a.m. and involved a 2026 Freightliner and a 2001 Chevrolet van. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Freightliner, operated by Matthew Wildschuetz, 29, of Springfield, Missouri, was traveling westbound on the Ohio Turnpike before exiting northbound onto State Route 49. Investigators say the Freightliner failed to yield at a stop sign and was struck by the southbound Chevrolet van.
The Chevrolet was driven by Randy Appleton, 58, of Fremont, Indiana, who sustained serious injuries and was transported by helicopter to Parkview Hospital. A passenger in the Chevrolet, Cody Pike, 24, of Orland, Indiana, was taken by emergency medical services to Montpelier Hospital with minor injuries.
Wildschuetz and a passenger in the Freightliner, Tomas Berrios, 27, of Woodbridge, Virginia, were not injured.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Williams County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Turnpike Commission, Florence Township Fire Department, Williams County EMS, Montpelier Rescue, Northwest Township Fire and Rescue, and John’s Towing and Repair Service.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
