Two-Vehicle Crash On SR 163 Claims Life Of Perrysburg Man
BENTON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred Monday afternoon in Ottawa County.
According to the Patrol, the crash happened at approximately 2:15 p.m. on July 6, 2026, on State Route 163 at Elliston Trowbridge Road in Benton Township.
Troopers said Joseph Hartford, 19, of Genoa, Ohio, was driving a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu southbound on Elliston Trowbridge Road when he failed to yield at a stop sign. Hartford’s vehicle struck a 2017 Jeep Compass driven by Danny Avery, 60, of Perrysburg, Ohio, who was traveling eastbound on State Route 163.
After the collision, both vehicles traveled off the right side of State Route 163. Avery’s Jeep overturned, and he was ejected from the vehicle. Avery was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Hartford was not injured in the crash.
According to the Patrol, neither driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The crash remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed at this time.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Clay Township Police Department, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ottawa County Coroner’s Office, Benton-Carroll Fire and EMS, and Greer’s Towing.
