OSHP: Seven people injured in Seneca County crash

Liberty Township, Ohio — Seven people were injured early Wednesday morning in a two-vehicle crash in Liberty Township, Seneca County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred just after midnight on State Route 12 near mile post 9.

42-year-old Stephen R. Benner Jr., of Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, was driving a 2006 Dodge Caravan southwest on SR 12.

18-year-old Logan B. Johnson, of Fremont, Ohio, was driving a 2006 Kia Rio northeast on SR 12.

Benner traveled left of center, striking Johnson’s vehicle head on, and then traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned, according to OSHP.

Johnson then ran off the left side of the roadway and his vehicle was later removed by John’s Towing due to the disabling damage.

Benner, who was wearing his seatbelt, suffered serious injuries and was transported from the scene by Fostoria EMS to ProMedica Hospital in Fostoria.

Johnson, who was also wearing his seatbelt, sustained serious injuries and was transported by North Central EMS to ProMedica Hospital in Fostoria.

Also in Johnson’s vehicle were five passengers: 17-year-old Yuseef M. Atkins, of Fremont; 15-year-old Kaysis K. Okuly, of Fostoria; 17-year-old Kelijah Pickens, of Fremont; 15-year-old Yazmin J. Gonzalez, of Fostoria; and 17-year-old Adriana C. Agapiou, of Findlay.

Atkins, Gonzalez, and Agapiou were all transported from the scene with minor injuries.

Okuly and Pickens both had to be extracted from the vehicle by mechanical means. Okuly and Pickens were transported from the scene by Life Flight to St. Vincent’s Hospital in Toledo with serious injuries.

The crash remains under investigation and drug usage in both drivers does appear to be a contributing factor in the crash, according to OSHP.

Assisting on scene were the Seneca County Sheriff’s Department, Bascom Fire and EMS, North Central EMS, St. Vincent’s Life Flight, John’s Towing and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Correction: The original version of this story indicated the number of persons injured as six. The story has been updated to reflect the accurate count of injured persons.