Willard woman seriously injured in US 20 crash: OSHP

Bellevue, Ohio — The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a two-vehicle crash that occurred on Monday at approximately 4:02 p.m.

The incident took place at the intersection of US Highway 20 and State Route 4 in Lyme Township, Huron County, Ohio.

According to the preliminary investigation, Jeannette Waibel, a 58-year-old resident of Willard, was driving a 2010 gray Buick sedan southbound on State Route 4.

Oleg Gubenya, aged 61 and hailing from Pleasant Hope, Missouri, was operating a beige 2021 Volvo Semi traveling westbound on US Highway 20. As Waibel entered the intersection, her vehicle was struck by Gubenya’s semi. Both vehicles came to a final rest in the roadway.

Gubenya, who was wearing his safety belt at the time, reported no injuries resulting from the crash.

Waibel, also wearing her safety belt, was trapped inside the sedan following the collision. She was ultimately freed by mechanical means and subsequently airlifted by Mercy Health LifeFlight to Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center with serious injuries.

Currently, it is unclear whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash, and this aspect is under investigation. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is actively working to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Multiple agencies provided assistance at the scene of the collision, including the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Bellevue Fire Department, North Central EMS, Mercy Health LifeFlight, Ohio Department of Transportation, Interstate Towing, and Madison Towing.