Mother, daughter killed in crash

LIMA - A mother and her daughter died Thursday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash in rural Allen County.

Roxanne R. Bazen, 43, of Grand Rapids, Mich., and her daughter, Nicole Bazen, 7, were pronounced dead by Allen County Coroner Dr. Gary Beasley after the two-vehicle crash northwest of Lima, according to troopers from the Lima post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

A third child, Bazen's son Richard, 13, was taken to St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima, where a hospital spokeswoman said he was treated, then released.

Bazen was southbound on Conant Road around 1 p.m. when her 2002 Saturn crossed the intersection of Piquad Road and was broadsided by a westbound 1995 Dodge van driven by Dennis L. Louth, 63, of Spencerville.

The impact forced both vehicles off the road into a cornfield where they came to rest. Louth was ejected. American Township emergency medical workers took him to St. Rita's. He was later flown to The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, where a hospital spokesman said he was in critical condition late Thursday.

Troopers said alcohol was not suspected in the crash and all occupants of the Bazen vehicle were wearing their seat belts.