VAN WERT – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post is currently investigating a five-person fatality crash that occurred at 6:59 p.m. today in Crane Township at the intersection of County Road 176 and County Road 87 in Paulding County.

Four Antwerp Emergency Medical Services workers were transporting two victims in a squad vehicle from a separate injury crash that had previously occurred on U.S. Highway 24. While transporting the injured victims from that crash, the squad, which was traveling southbound on County Road 87, was struck broadside at the intersection by a commercial vehicle that was traveling eastbound on County Road 176. The squad burst into flames on impact.

Three of the EMS workers and the two crash victims being transported received fatal injuries in the crash. The fourth EMS worker who was in the squad, and the driver of the commercial vehicle, were both transported from the scene.

An additional media release will be issued with the victim names once all next of kin notifications have been made.

The Patrol’s investigation is ongoing.

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