PAULDING COUNTY, OH (WLIO) – A 17-year-old girl from Defiance was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Paulding County early Sunday morning.
Kaiya Klopfenstein, 17, of Defiance was killed in the crash that happened just after one a.m. Sunday on County Road 133 at State Route 111. According to Van Wert Post troopers, Tyson Ward, 18, of Oakwood was driving a vehicle north and failed to stop at a stop sign at 1-11. The car passed through the intersection and then went off the left side of the road striking a tree. Klopfenstein was pronounced dead at the scene, Ward was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
Media Release from Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol
Ohio State Highway Patrol Investigating Fatal Crash in Paulding County
Paulding – The Van Wert Highway Patrol Post is investigating a single vehicle, fatal crash that occurred on CR133 at SR111 in Paulding County, Emerald Township, at 1:09 A.M. on June 8, 2025.
A 2004 Audi A6, operated by Tyson Michael Ward, 18 years of age, of Oakwood, was traveling northbound on CR133. Mr. Ward failed to stop at the stop sign at SR111. After going through the intersection, the vehicle went off the left side of the roadway, striking a tree. The front seat passenger, Kaiya Raine Klopfenstein, 17 years of age, of Defiance, was pronounced deceased on scene. Mr. Ward was transported by Paulding EMS to Defiance Regional Medical Center, with serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Paulding Fire and EMS, Paulding County Coroner, and R&O Services.
