DELPHOS, OH (WLIO) - According to the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 5:30 p.m. Friday night at the intersection of U.S. 30 and Defiance Trail. 67-year-old Douglas White of Rocky Top, Tennessee, was heading south on Defiance Trial when he drove in the path of 67-year-old Ted Powell of Van Buren, who was heading east on U.S. 30. Powell was seriously injured, and his passengers, 44-year-old Linda Powell, died from her injuries, and 33-year-old Jacquale Gabbard was also seriously injured. White was not injured in the crash. Troopers say it appears that no one in Powell’s car was wearing seatbelts, but White was. The eastbound lanes of U.S. 30 were closed for 45 minutes while the crash was cleaned up.
Press Release from the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol
Marion Township – The Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway is investigating a two-vehicle crash that resulted in two serious injuries and one fatality.
On May 3, 2024, at approximately 5:50 P.M. troopers responded to US Route 30 at the intersection of Defiance Trail, Marion Township, Allen County. Upon investigation, it was found that Ted A. Powell, age 67, of Van Buren was operating a 2012 Mazda 2 eastbound on US Route 30. Douglas L. White, age 40, of Rocky Top, Tennessee was traveling south on Defiance Trail. Mr. White reportedly stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of US Route 30 and then continued south through the intersection. Mr. White crossed the westbound lanes and then entered the eastbound lanes when he was struck by Mr. Powell’s vehicle. Mr. Powell’s vehicle came to final rest in the right lane of eastbound traffic, and Mr. White’s vehicle went off the south side of the roadway into the ditch.
Mr. White reportedly sustained no injuries. Mr. Powell sustained serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center by Putnam County EMS. There were two passengers in Mr. Powell’s vehicle. Jacquale F. Gabbard, age 33, of Lima was a backseat passenger and was transported by Delphos EMS to Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center for serious injuries. Linda I. Powell, age 44, of Lima, was transported by Delphos EMS to Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center, and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be a factor for either driver. Mr. White was reportedly wearing a seatbelt. None of the occupants in Mr. Powell’s vehicle were reportedly wearing seatbelts. The eastbound lanes of US Route 30 were closed for approximately 45 minutes.
Assisting troopers on scene was the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Delphos Police Department, Delphos Fire and EMS, Putnam EMS and Knippen’s Towing Service. The crash remains under investigation. The Ohio State Highway Patrol would like to remind motorists to never drive distracted and always wear a properly adjusted safety belt.
