BUCYRUS — The Bucyrus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a traffic crash that resulted in a fatality.
The crash occurred at approximately 6 a.m. Tuesday morning on Dekalb-Shelby Road in Vernon Township, Crawford County.
Troopers reported Joseph M. Auck, 54, of Bloomville was traveling westbound on Dekalb-Shelby Road while operating a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer. Auck failed to negotiate a sharp curve in the roadway. The vehicle traveled off the roadway, vaulted over a creek and struck a tree. The impact with the tree caused the vehicle to flip on its side.
Auck was entrapped inside the vehicle and had to be extracted from the vehicle.
Auck, who was the driver, was not wearing a safety-belt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Also in the vehicle at the time of the crash were two dogs. One of the dogs died at the scene. The Crawford County Humane Society was on scene to render assistance with the dogs.
The crash remains under investigation.
Troopers were assisted at the scene by Tiro-Auburn Volunteer Fire and EMS, Crawford County Highway Department, Crawford County Coroner Christopher Johnson M.D., Crawford County Humane Society, and Ronk’s Towing.