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Local News

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Hancock Co. traffic deaths already equal 2008's total
The number of traffic deaths in Hancock County this year already has equaled 2008's total with two months to go, according to State Highway Patrol statistics.

As of Oct. 19, nine people had been killed in traffic accidents in the county. Seven of the crashes occurred in rural areas and two in Findlay.

Two of the fatal accidents involved motorcycles, and alcohol or drugs were involved in four of the nine.

In 2007, 10 people were killed in Hancock County traffic crashes.

Of the seven counties surrounding Hancock County, Wood County has the highest number of traffic fatalities this year with 15.

Last year, Wood County had 14 deaths, but in 2007, the number of traffic deaths was nearly double that at 27. Six of this year's fatalities were related to alcohol or drugs.

Wyandot County has not had any fatal traffic crashes this year, according to the statistics. The county reported two fatalities last year and six in 2007.

State Highway Patrol statistics for other area counties are as follows:

• Putnam County: five traffic deaths in 2009 (none related to alcohol or drugs); five in 2008; and four in 2007.

• Henry County: four traffic deaths in 2009 (one related to alcohol or drugs); five in 2008; and nine in 2007.

• Hardin County: five traffic deaths in 2009 (two related to alcohol or drugs); four in 2008; and two in 2007.

• Allen County: seven traffic deaths in 2009 (six related to alcohol or drugs); nine in 2008; and 11 in 2007.

• Seneca County: five traffic deaths in 2009 (one related to alcohol or drugs); seven in 2008; and 12 in 2007.

On the Net:

http://statepatrol.ohio.gov/


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4 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Doug wrote:
Stand Corrected.
“ Steve, after reading the ORC I see I was given erroneous information from one of Findlay's Officers.

Here is why I asked him in the first place.

I was in Lima a while back at an intersection across from Meijers waiting to turn left onto Elida Road. Upon the green light I proceeded to turn left into the closest lane to the yellow center line. A car across the intersection turning right onto Elida started to turn directly into what I considered to be my lane and almost hit me, laying on the horn and flipping me off! I stayed in he left lane and continued another block when I notice a Sheriffs SUV coming at a pretty good rate of speed with his lights flashing in the left lane so I turned on my signal and moved to the right lane. Much to my surprise the Deputy also moved into the right lane and stayed right behind me. I pulled into the Lowes parking lot and again to my surprise he followed. I stopped and he stopped right behind me, again to my surprise as I thought he must have gotten a call from Lowes. He asked if I knew why he stopped me and I was truly dumbfounded as to why. Upon giving him my license, proof of ins, and registration he told me I failed to yield to the car turning right, almost causing that person to be rear ended! I told him I stayed in the left lane when turning and that car turned directly into the center lane, and until I saw him in my rear view mirror and only then did I change lanes and I did use my signal to do so. He still told me I have to yield to the car turning right, but I questioned that by saying, ya mean the law says he has his choice of which lane to turn into? I told him I didn't think that was true and to just give me the ticket and I would fight it in court as I was in a hurry and did not have time to debate it. He went to his vehicle ran my info, found I had no warrants and told me he was going to "cut me a break" and just give me a
warning. So a couple of days later I asked a Police officer in Findlay I happen to know and he told me you have to turn into the left lane turning left and the right lane turning right.

Upon reading the ORC, I see it does only address turning right into the curb lane and doesn't say you have to turn into the left lane when turning left. I guess with the right turn rule, it covers any accident that may happen if a driver hits a left turning car in the left lane by a car turning right! I will continue to challenge anyone turning right into the left lane. So I do stand corrected Steve and hopefully between your post and mine, it will influence some drivers to be more aware of the law. ”
Friday, November 13, 2009 1:14:50 PM
Steve wrote:
bad drivers...more like bad information Doug
“ Check your facts and laws again Doug. When turning right onto a four lane road you are correct you must turn into the curb lane. But, when turning left onto a four lane road, NOTHING in the Ohio Revised Code or the City Ordinances prohibit you from turning directly into the curb lane. You do not have to turn into the center lane first. In fact there is already local case law on this very subject from a traffic crash of someone turning directly into the curb lane while turning left. ”
Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:45:56 PM
Doug wrote:
Bad Drivers
“ I have to agree with Feather on this one. In fact I will go even a step further! Watching people drive in the city I find it on a daily basis, drivers turning into the wrong lane. If you are turning left and into a 4 lane road it is your responsibility to turn into the CENTER most lane and if turning right, to the CURB lane. You don't get your choice of lanes to turn into! If ya want into the other lane the law says turn into your respective lane an once you are ESTABLISHED in your lane turn on your blinker and proceed into the other lane! I for one hold my own and do challenge anyone who turns into my lane by not giving them their choice. I have been flipped off, cursed at, even had a glass of pop thrown at me for doing the lawful thing but I for one will continue to hold my own. While I haven't been hit by another car yet, actually I won't care, as it's not going to be me that gets the ticket and have my insurance rates rise. That said, it amazes me that people forget the basic rules of the road and I for one would not have a problem requiring everyone to have to take the written test every 8-10 years to relearn the proper way to operate an automobile. Driving is not one of those things most people get better at with experience! They get complacent, don't use turn signals, use rolling stops, refuse to stop for emergency vehicles, turn into the wrong lane, forget speed limits, don't stop for school buses, the list can go on and on! Retaking the drivers test makes more sense to me than renewing your tags every year! Probably lower insurance rates, due to less accidents, due to more attentive driving! Hmmmm, could also boost state revenue, which is so badly needed. Driving is a priveledge, not a right! ”
Thursday, November 12, 2009 3:56:45 PM
Feather wrote:
Drivers Program Should be Given Again!
“ I think that the fact that the traffic deaths are already equal to that of 2008 should show Mr. Heldman and the state of Ohio that the Drivers Training Program should be put on again! As a person who lost her father in a traffic crash and a speaker at the Driver's Training program from 2000-2008 I truly believe that this program was beneficial for kids and parents to hear and helped cut down the traffic deaths in the county! It was due to TWO parents who thought taking an hour out of one of their nights during the week was too much time to take to help save the lives of others and maybe even their children! They complained to the state and got the requirement changed, and eventually the program died because the turnout dwindled. Kids need to hear real stories from real victims because it does make them see that it CAN happen to anyone...they are NOT invincible! My dad was one of the statistics in 2001, and I spoke about his death so that others, hopefully, wouldn't have to go through what our family went through. My dad's death was and still is very upsetting to the family and he's missing so much in our lives and in my opinion kids AND parents need to hear these stories. There were others that spoke about their experiences when their family members became statistics as well and we always seemed to get a bunch of thank you's from people that heard our stories. The audience also heard from some people who caused these accidents and how it changed their lives forever...which is another thing that kids AND parents need to hear! I don't want to see the traffic deaths in Hancock County go up to where they were in 1999, which was 19 crashes which resulted in 21 deaths...but unfortuneately that's where we seem to be headed if people don't get to hear what can happen if you aren't careful! The program was NOT a waste of time, it was helping to keep people safe and more importantly ALIVE! ”
Thursday, November 12, 2009 1:47:29 PM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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Bennett's Furniture Town
News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.