The driver of a vehicle that swerved off the road at the intersection of U.S. 62 and SR 28 in Leesburg and crashed on its top was transported by medical helicopter with non-life-threatening injuries Thursday morning.
An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper on the scene said authorities had received a couple of calls about a reckless driver just prior to the wreck. The vehicle was apparently traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on U.S. 62 when it veered off the left side of the road, struck a ditch and went airborne, traveling through the intersection and finally coming to a rest on its top on the other side of SR 28.
Highland County North EMS personnel treated the driver – later identified as Cody Matthews, 23, Hillsboro – in an ambulance until MedFlight air transport arrived around 10 a.m. to transport him to Kettering Medical Center. Aside from the driver, there were no passengers in the vehicle, officials said. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
In addition to the patrol, Leesburg police and Highland County North EMS personnel and equipment were on the scene.
The Paint Creek Joint EMS\Fire District was called at 9:24 a.m. to provide mutual aid, particularly rescue tools including air bags designed to lift a vehicle if needed, although those were ultimately not needed. Paint Creek sent two staff members, including a paramedic who assisted with medical care on scene, according to Branden Jackman, public information officer for Paint Creek.
Traffic was blocked at the intersection after the wreck, but one lane was opened around 10:30 a.m.
The accident remains under investigation.
