GROVER HILL — A two-car crash resulted in the death of a Grover Hill man at 4 p.m. Friday.
According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, William Bates, 63, of Grover Hill, drove a 2002 GMC pickup truck east on state Route 114 near milepost 8 when he collided head on with a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier, driven by Kyle Childs, 27, of Payne, who was driving west on state Route 114.
The investigation determined Childs drove left of center and struck Bates’ vehicle. Bates was pronounced dead at the scene by Paulding County Coroner Dr. Joseph Kuhn. Childs was transported to Paulding County Hospital, where he was treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The crash resulted in a brief closure of state Route 114 east of Grover Hill. Childs was wearing a seat belt. Evidence suggests that Bates was not wearing a seat belt. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.
Charges in the incident are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Grover Hill Fire and EMS, Parkview Samaritan Life Flight, and Gideon’s Towing Services assisted at the scene.
