slideshow

Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

A West Portsmouth man escaped injury in a semi/van crash at Route 32 at Ohio 104 in Pike County Thursday morning.

William Bays, 47, of West Portsmouth, was operating the semi when the crash occurred. Sgt. Tim Karwatske said the two vehicles involved in the crash were westbound on Route 32 when the semi attempted to slow down for a traffic light, and was struck from behind by a 1998 Ford Windstar.

The driver of the van, Sonya Ayres, 54, of Manchester, Ohio, was taken to Pike County Hospital by Pike County EMS. Ayres was cited for failure to maintain an assured clear distance.

Heavy snow in Pike County resulted in another crash and the closing of a portion of U.S. 23 near Route 32 at the height of the snowfall. Lt. Karla Taulbee, post commander at the Portsmouth Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, said troopers from that post had been dispatched to Pike County to help authorities. She said ambulances from Scioto County could also be seen traveling north.

Taulbee said troopers from the Chillicothe Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported a vehicle with four people trapped inside, causing a backup and the shutting down of U.S. 23 in that area. In an update, a dispatcher at the Chillicothe Post said there were no serious injuries in that crash. Karwatske said it was because of the position of those in the vehicle that they had to be extricated, not because of injuries.

Meanwhile, Pike County Sheriff Richard N. Henderson issued a road advisory for Pike County where some roads were snow and ice covered. Henderson asked drivers to use extreme caution while traveling Pike County roads.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@civitasmedia.com.