LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Three people are in the hospital after a semi went off the side of US 30 and struck a home near Beaverdam Wednesday afternoon.
Lima troopers say 55-year-old Gerry Bright of Indiana was heading west on 30, went off the right side of the road, hitting a guardrail and a fence before slamming into a house and three parked cars. Bright was taken to Lima Memorial with non-life-threatening injuries.
The house partially collapsed with 51-year-old Lawrence Myers, and 21-year-old Blake Vires, both of Lima, inside.
They also had non-life threatening injuries and were taken to St. Rita's.
The crash remains under investigation.
January 21, 2026, Press Release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol:
Richland Township – On January 21, 2026, at approximately 2:47 P.M., the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a report of a commercial semi-truck striking a home in Richland Township in Allen County.
Gerry Bright, age 55, from Frankfort, Indiana was operating a 2022 Volvo Semi westbound on US 30. The vehicle went off the right side of the roadway, struck a guardrail, and a fence. The semi then struck a house, causing it to partially collapse, before damaging three parked vehicles. Mr. Bright suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported from the scene by Beaverdam Richland EMS to Lima Memorial Hospital.
Lawrence Myers, age 51, and Blake Vires, age 21, both from Lima, Ohio were inside the house when it was struck. They both suffered non-life threatening injuries and were transported to Mercy Health St. Rita’s Hospital by Beaverdam Richland EMS.
The semi sustained severe damage and was towed from the scene by Minich Towing.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Beaverdam Richland Fire, Beaverdam Richland EMS, Minich Towing, and American Electric Power.
The crash remains under investigation.
