DEFIANCE COUNTY, Ohio — A Thursday night crash in rural Defiance County has left one woman dead and two others, including a juvenile driver, seriously injured. The deadly three-vehicle collision happened just after 9:04 p.m. on Domersville Road near Flory Road in Adams Township, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the crash began when the driver of a Chevrolet Malibu, identified as a juvenile, was traveling northbound on Domersville Road and went left of center. The Malibu then collided head-on with a Chrysler Town & Country that was traveling southbound. The impact left both vehicles heavily damaged, with the Malibu disabled in the roadway and the Town & Country forced off the road.
Moments later, a GMC Sierra traveling southbound entered the crash scene and was struck by debris from the initial collision. Authorities say the Sierra did not collide directly with the other vehicles but was hit by wreckage. The driver of the GMC Sierra was able to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop and was not injured.
The juvenile driver of the Chevrolet Malibu was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, troopers said. The teen suffered serious injuries and was transported to a hospital before being flown by air ambulance to a children’s hospital for further treatment. Officials have not released the juvenile’s name due to age.
The driver of the Chrysler Town & Country was identified as 47-year-old Jennifer Bartlett of Alvordton. According to authorities, she was not wearing a seatbelt and sustained fatal injuries at the scene. A passenger in her vehicle, who also was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered serious injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The driver of the GMC Sierra was wearing a seatbelt and was not hurt in the crash. The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. As the community mourns the loss of Jennifer Bartlett, the crash serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of roadway safety and seatbelt use.
