TIFFIN, OH (FINDLAY COURIER) — Three Tiffin teenagers were killed Monday night when their car went left of center and hit a tractor-trailer on Ohio 53, south of Tiffin in Seneca County, the Fremont post of the State Highway Patrol reported.
Killed were Brandan Schaade, 18, the driver of the car, and passengers Brady K. Hedrick, 17, and Clint Morris, 17, the patrol said.
Schaade and Hedrick were pronounced dead at the scene, the patrol said. Morris was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, where he died from his injuries, the patrol said.
The truck driver, Clarence E. Grooms, 54, of Vickery, suffered minor injuries. The patrol said he was taken by New Riegel Emergency Medical Service to Tiffin Mercy Hospital, where he was treated and released.
The crash occurred about 8:35 p.m. Monday on Ohio 53, south of Seneca County 92, the state patrol said.
The patrol said Schaade was driving a 1994 Chevrolet Camaro north on Ohio 53 when the car went left of center on the two-lane highway and hit the southbound tractor-trailer in the tractor's left side gas tank. The truck went off the west side of Ohio 53 and caught fire.
The car went off the east side of the highway, into a ditch, the patrol said.
None of the victims was wearing a seat belt, the patrol said. Morris was thrown from the vehicle, while Schaade and Hedrick were pinned in the car and were extricated by the McCutchenville Volunteer Fire Department, the patrol said.
The McCutchenville firefighters also extinguished the truck fire.
Grooms was wearing a seat belt, and was able to get out of the truck after it caught fire, the patrol said.
State Highway Patrol units were also assisted at the scene by the Seneca County Sheriff's Office, the Seneca County coroner, John's Towing, the Fostoria Emergency Corps and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Ohio 53 was closed for about five hours after the crash.
In a statement released by Superintendent of Vanguard-Sentinel Career and Technology Centers, Gregory Edinger said "Sentinel Career and Technology Center is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Clint Morris and Brady Hedrick. The two boys were enrolled in the public safety program. We mourn their loss and extend our condolences to their family and friends. We will continue to work to provide a safe and caring environment for the students here at Sentinel during this difficult time."
The crash remains under investigation, but police said alcohol does not appear to be a factor.
A candlelight vigil is planned for Friday evening at 6 PM in front of Columbian High School in Tiffin.
