HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—A Fremont couple was killed Friday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of state Route 18 and County Road 26, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The collision, which occurred at approximately 2:50 p.m. on Aug. 28, claimed the lives of 74-year-old Ronald Kuyken and 65-year-old Susan Kuyken.
According to a preliminary investigation by the patrol’s Norwalk Post, a 2015 Ford Taurus driven by 29-year-old Hadiya Batts of Tiffin was traveling west on County Road 26. Investigators report that Batts failed to yield at a posted stop sign at the intersection of state Route 18, resulting in her vehicle being struck by a northwestbound 2015 Harley-Davidson Freewheeler operated by Ronald Kuyken.
Ronald Kuyken was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, Susan Kuyken, was transported by ambulance to Mercy Health — Tiffin Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Batts sustained minor injuries in the crash and declined medical treatment at the scene. Authorities noted that Batts was wearing a seat belt, while neither Ronald nor Susan Kuyken were wearing helmets.
The intersection and surrounding roadways were closed for approximately two hours as emergency crews and investigators processed the scene.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Bascom Fire Department, Tiffin EMS, Mercy Health Life Flight, the Seneca County Coroner’s Office, John’s Towing, and the county and state departments of transportation.
The crash remains under investigation.