December 8, 2024, Press Release from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol: Ridge Township – On December 8, 2024, at approximately 2:08 P.M., troopers with the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were dispatched to Mendon Road at State Road for a report of an injury crash.
During the investigation, it was found that Jadyn R. Bullinger, age 20, of Van Wert, was operating a 2014 Chrysler 200 eastbound on State Road. Aireyona A. Thornsberry, age 19, of Van Wert, was operating a 2009 Nissan Moreno northbound on Mendon Road. Ms. Bullinger failed to yield to the stop sign at the State and Mendon intersection and continued eastbound into the intersection. Ms. Thornsberry struck the vehicle on the right side, and both vehicles came to a final rest on the right side of the roadway.
Middle Point EMS transported Jadyn R. Bullinger to St. Rita’s Mercy Health for reported injuries. Aireyona A. Thornsberry was transported by Van Wert EMS to St. Rita’s Mercy Health with reported injuries. There were passengers in each vehicle, and both were transported with reported injuries. Tabatha A. Thornsberry, age 36, of Van Wert, was transported by Van Wert EMS to St. Rita’s Mercy Health. Chloe J. Morefield, age 20, of Van Wert, was transported by Lutheran Air Med Flight to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne with serious injuries. It is undetermined if all occupants who were required to wear a seatbelt were reportedly wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Drug impairment is suspected to be a factor in the crash for Ms. Bullinger.
Assisting troopers on scene were deputies with the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Van Wert EMS, Middle Point EMS, Superior Collision, Jim Schmidt Chevrolet, and Lutheran Air. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and to always wear a properly adjusted seatbelt.
