The crash between a semi and a SUV Friday night on US 24 claimed the lives of four people, the fifth person in the vehicle was flown to a Toledo hospital to be treated for their injuries.

Valerie Doty died from injuries at the hospital after her SUV was struck at the intersection of SR 501 and Ft. Amanda Rd. 

The Lima-Allen County Safe Community Coalition reports there was 1 (one) fatal traffic crash on Allen County roadways during the month of December 2022 for a total of 15 fatalities in 2022. In contrast, in 2021, there was a total of 25 fatalities.

As Americans take to the roadways this holiday season, thousands of traffic injuries and fatalities are predicted. Over the long Thanksgiving weekend, law enforcement will be out in full force all over the state to enforce Ohio’s impaired driving laws, as well as to make sure everyone drives safe and buckles up.

As Ohioans and our visitors make their way to see family and friends this Thanksgiving, troopers will be making sure motorists are taking the proper safety measures by driving sober, not driving distracted, and wearing their safety belt. Troopers will be highly visible and cracking down on those driving impaired and those failing to wear a safety belt from Wednesday, November 23 at midnight through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 27.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging drivers to be safe this Labor Day weekend. Troopers will focus enforcement efforts on removing impaired drivers from Ohio’s roadways. The Labor Day weekend reporting period begins Friday, September 2 at 12 a.m. and ends Monday, September 5 at 11:59 p.m.

The Lima Allen County Regional Planning Commission are trying to drive home the point that when you are behind the wheel to remain alert and sober.  They brought in the Arrive Alive Tour to the Allen County Fair Saturday afternoon.  Through a driving simulator, people can see just how dangerous it is to be driving while impaired by marijuana or alcohol.  People can even experience the effects of distracted driving through the simulator.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration traffic fatalities rose nearly 11 percent in 2021 nationwide, in Allen County the number of fatal crashes jumped from ten to 21 from 2020 to 2021.  So, officials want to make sure that driver know that people’s lives are at stake when you get behind the wheel impaired.

Lightning Safety Awareness Week started in 2001 in order to address that lightning is an underrated killer. Since that time, fatalities have dropped due to increased awareness. Numbers around 55 per year in 2001 are now less than 30.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says that there were less people killed on state roadways this holiday weekend than the last three previous years.  The reporting period ran from Thursday December 23rd to Sunday December 26th.   Troopers say that there were seven fatalities in seven crashes on Ohio roadways this past weekend, which is decrease from nine in 2020 and 12 in 2019.  The state highway patrol also arrested 162 motorists for impaired driving which is 12% increase compared to last year.   Of this year fatal crashes, two were because of impaired drivers, and three people were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.   With New Year’s Eve this Friday, and people holding parties to watch the Rose Bowl on Saturday, troopers want to remind people to have a designated driver and don't drink and drive.