Tragic Accident in Wayne County: Highway Patrol Investigates Fatal Crash
Joe Lyons •
October 24, 2023
Chippewa Township – On Monday, October 23, 2023 at 12:42 PM the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Wooster Post was notified of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Route 21 and Township Road 63 (Grill Road) in Chippewa Township, Wayne County.
The investigation revealed a maroon 2012 Kia Sorento, was eastbound on Grill Road when it failed to yield from a stop sign and attempted to cross the southbound lanes of State Route 21. A dark blue 2017 Honda Civic was southbound on State Route 21 in the left lane and struck the Kia Sorento on the driver’s side door. The Kia Sorento came to rest in the southbound right lane of State Route 21. The Honda Civic came to rest in between the north and southbound lanes of State Route 21.
The passenger in the Civic, Robert B. Sours, 83 years old, of Wadsworth, was injured in the crash and transported to Akron City Hospital where he died in the early morning hours of October 24, 2023.
The driver of the Civic, Zachary R. Rote, 19 years old, of Rittman, was transported to Akron General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Sorento, George W. Metz, 88 years old, of Clinton, was transported to Akron General Hospital for his injuries. Seatbelts were used by all parties and alcohol use is suspected in contributing to the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Chippewa Township Fire and EMS, Doylestown PD, Reed’s Towing, and Valley View Towing