JACKSON TOWNSHIP, OH. (THECOUNT) — Guadalupe Amaro Martinez II, 28, of Paulding, Ohio, and passenger Guadalupe A. Martinez Jr., 55, also of Paulding, were killed Friday evening in a head-on crash involving a pickup truck on U.S. Route 127 in Jackson Township, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The driver of the second vehicle was identified as Judd Charles Spencer, 56, of Cecil, Ohio.
Jackson Township is located in Paulding County in northwestern Ohio, near the Indiana border and approximately 90 miles southwest of Toledo. The fatal collision occurred on U.S. Route 127 near mile marker 8, a rural stretch of highway that runs north and south through the county.
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Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post said the crash occurred at approximately 6:29 p.m. Friday. Investigators determined Martinez was operating a southbound 2020 Chevrolet Traverse when the SUV crossed the center line and entered the northbound lane.
Authorities said the Chevrolet was then struck head-on by a northbound 2024 Dodge Ram 3500 driven by Spencer. The impact left Martinez and Martinez Jr. with fatal injuries. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Spencer’s condition was not immediately released by authorities. No additional occupants were identified in either vehicle.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, speed is suspected to have been a contributing factor in the collision. Investigators have not indicated whether impairment, distraction or any other factors played a role as the investigation remains active.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, the Paulding Fire Department and Gideon’s Towing.
The crash remains under investigation.
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