Lorain/Elyria, OH
Driver dies after crash at notorious intersection
Print this story
Read comments and discuss this story
An 82-year-old Elyria man has died after he ran a stop sign and crashed into another car at an intersection where a 16-year-old died a year ago.
Paul Skeen, 82, of Elyria was flown to MetroHealth in Cleveland, according to the State Highway Patrol. He reportedly lost consciousness at the scene. Powell Caesar from the Cuyahoga County coroner’s office confirmed this morning that Skeen has died.
According to reports from state troopers, Skeen was heading north on Whitehead Road in a red Ford Focus when he ran the stop sign at state Route 303. Skeen collided with a black Honda Accord driven by 73-year-old Donald Marsh of Sylvania. Marsh was heading east on Route 303.
Click on any photo to view larger:
Click on any photo to view larger:
The force of the collision sent both cars off the road and into the small field on the northeast side of the intersection.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts, and there were no passengers in either car.
Marsh was driven to Allen Community Hospital but was not admitted.
Skeen’s car landed eerily close to the cross placed near the intersection in memory of Molly Webber, who was killed in a collision at the intersection on Oct. 14 of last year.
Webber was a passenger in a Toyota RAV4 driven by 17-year-old Rachel Salyer, also of LaGrange. They were on Route 303 when they were struck by a Honda CRV driven by 17-year-old Ethan Frey, also of LaGrange. Webber died instantly from head and neck injuries from the impact, and also suffered a crushed pelvis and chest injuries.
The Ohio Department of Transportation was reported to be considering making this intersection a four-way stop after Webber’s death but has not done so yet. Prior to Webber’s death, there had been eight crashes at that intersection between 2005 and 2008.
Contact Melissa Hebert at 329-7129 or mhebert@chroniclet.com.
Print this story
Report an innappropriate comment
In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement
and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered,
click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.
This is terrible to see again. How many lives must this intersection take before something will be done? Obviously people are oblivious to the stop signs on Whitehead Rd. I have lived in LaGrange for 18 years and can tell you about many accidents at this intersection. I think its time to put a four way stop and some nice big red flashing lights just like Indian Hollow and 303 intersection, and hopefully people will understand that they have to stop. Its horrible there has been so many fatalities and still no improvement for this high accident area. I drive thru this intersection at least twice daily and its sad to see the flowers and crosses in memory of people especially a young girl who had a lot going for her. I am so irritated about this whole situation. I really hope something is done soon before another life is claimed on Whitehead and 303.
Lets get the ball rolling people!!!!!!
(Report comment)