Allen County sees decline in fatal crashes, but officials urge continued caution

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - While one fatal crash is too many, Allen County officials have seen some positive results from last year’s crash numbers, but they emphasize that there is always room for improvement.

In 2024, Allen County recorded eight fatal crashes, resulting in the deaths of nine people—the lowest number since 2019. While local officials hope to continue that trend, the first month of 2025 has already seen a concerning number of fatal crashes.

“The goal is always zero. We don't want to see a single person die on the roads, but we do have some natural fluctuations here in Allen County, statewide for that matter. Last year, we had nine fatalities, eight crashes. This year we've experienced a number that's a little high for that. We're hoping that that tails off and that it doesn't, but we can all do our part to keep the road safer with our personal choices,” said Adam Haunhorst, planning engineer at the Lima-Allen County Regional Planning Commission.

Three of the nine people killed in crashes last year were not wearing seat belts. Allen County Coroner Dr. John Meyer stressed that simply buckling up could save lives and prevent serious injuries.

“You know sometimes, the safety devices in the car, like the airbags, don't always deploy the way that they're supposed to. You should never count on those to be the exclusive things to save your life. I mean, you have multiple safety devices in your car to help save your life. Keeping your seat belt on prevents you from hitting the windshield, and we see a lot of traumatic brain injuries because of lack of wearing seat belts,” said Meyer.

With the Super Bowl this Sunday, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be increasing enforcement against impaired driving. Two of last year’s eight fatal crashes involved drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. Troopers are reminding the public that driving under the influence puts not only their own lives at risk but also the lives of others on the road.

“.08 (BAC) is the legal limit. There are some people of lower body weight, you could have two drinks and be over .08 (BAC), and some people understand that, like, I'm not really feeling it. If you're feeling the effects of alcohol, you shouldn't be driving. If your reaction time is slower, you don't have to be over .08 (BAC) to be arrested, charged, and convicted of OVI. If it impairs your ability to drive, don't get behind the wheel,” said Sgt. Justin Powell of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lima Post.

Loved ones also play a role in preventing impaired driving, whether it involves someone under the influence or an aging driver whose reaction time or vision may no longer be suitable for safe driving.

“You care about people, and they're about to do something that could be life changingly bad, like getting behind the wheel when they've been drinking or they're high or, for that matter, they're not safe to drive because of age. Why wouldn't you do something to possibly save their life? If you care about somebody, take care of them,” added Powell.

The draft of the 2024 Allen County Fatal Crash Report is open for public comment until Feb. 14. A copy of the report and a comment sheet are available at www.lacrpc.com under “Reports and Plans.”