Fostoria man dies Monday in crash at US 224, SR 587

NEW RIEGEL — A Fostoria man died and a Findlay man was hurt in an accident at US 224 and SR 587 Monday afternoon. Dustin B. Soals, 30, of Fostoria, was driving a 2003 Saturn Ion south on SR 587, and Brendan M. Valentine, 30, of Findlay, was driving a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta west on US 224, according to the Fremont post of State Highway Patrol. The Saturn Ion did not stop at the stop sign, according to a release. Trooper Jake Mellinger said the Volkswagen Jetta struck the Saturn Ion in the driver's side. Both vehicles spun after impact, with the Saturn Ion breaking off a traffic sign and striking a bush and house at 9482 W. US 224. The Volkswagen Jetta struck a utility pole, Mellinger said. Mellinger said Soals was trapped in the vehicle. Rescuers worked on him for about half an hour but were unable to revive him, Mellinger said. Soals was pronounced dead at the scene. Valentine had non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital, according to the release. It was unknown whether the men were wearing seatbelts, Mellinger said. Personnel from Bascom EMS, Bascom Joint Fire District, Seneca County Sheriff's Office, Seneca County Coroner's Office, the county's Echo unit, ProMedica's air ambulance, John's Welding & Towing and Reinhart Auto Body assisted at the scene. The accident was reported about 5 p.m. Seth Kelbley said he has lived at 9482 W. US 224 for 15 years, and it had been owned by the Kelbley family since the 1800s. Monday's accident marked the first time the house had been hit, he said. He said his wife heard the initial impact and heard the Saturn Ion bounce off the house. "(My wife) called me frantic," he said. The accident knocked plaster off the wall inside, he said. Kelbley said in his opinion, accidents increased after a flashing light was removed. There are flashing LED lights, which can be seen at night. But, he said, accidents are in the daytime. "They don't happen at nighttime," he said.