Tiffin woman dies in Clinton Township accident

A Tiffin woman died and four other people were hurt in a head-on accident in Clinton Township on Tuesday afternoon. According to a release from the Norwalk post of State Highway Patrol, Jodi R. Dewald, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident on TR 73, north of TR 122. The release states Kristopher B. Ward, 27, of Tiffin, was driving a 2004 Jaguar X-Type north on TR 73, and Thomas L. Ferguson, 47, of Fremont, was driving a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix south on TR 73. It states Ward's Jaguar traveled off the right side of the road, Ward over-corrected and the Jaguar went left of center, striking the Pontiac. The Pontiac traveled off the right side of the road and struck a tree. The release states Ward left the scene on foot and was apprehended by Seneca County Sheriff's Office and Tiffin Police Department. Drugs were a suspected contributing factor to the accident for Ward, and officials had to wait for analysis of evidence that was taken, a State Highway Patrol spokesman said. Charges were pending Tuesday evening. Ward's passengers were Dewald, the right front passenger; James D. Chaffee, 29, of Tiffin, the right rear passenger; and Tasha N. Brock, 33, of Tiffin, the left rear passenger. Ward, Chaffee, Brock and Ferguson all were taken by Tiffin Fire Rescue Division to Mercy Health — Tiffin Hospital. All people involved in the accident were wearing seatbelts, according to the release. Personnel from Tiffin Fire Rescue Division, Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department, State Highway Patrol and a reconstruction officer, Seneca County Sheriff's Office, Tiffin Police Department, Seneca County Coroner's Office, Seneca County Prosecutor's Office and Wilcox Towing assisted. All three Tiffin Fire Rescue Division ambulances responded to assist. Additional personnel were called in, Chief Kevin Veletean said. The accident occurred about 12:15 p.m.