Danny Avery Killed in Benton Township Car Accident
The crash occurred at State Route 163 and Elliston Trowbridge Road
Danny Avery, 60, of Perrysburg, was killed in a two-vehicle crash on State Route 163 at Elliston Trowbridge Road in Benton Township on July 3, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
A southbound 2011 Chevrolet Malibu failed to yield at a stop sign and struck an eastbound 2017 Jeep Compass. The impact forced both vehicles off the right side of the road, causing the Jeep to overturn and eject its driver.
Paramedics pronounced the Jeep's driver, Avery, dead at the scene. The 19-year-old driver of the Chevrolet was not injured.
Troopers noted neither driver was wearing a seatbelt when the collision occurred.
The crash remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed.
Why did the Chevrolet fail to yield on Elliston Trowbridge Road?
The loss of a family member in a preventable intersection collision creates immediate challenges for surviving relatives.
While investigators work to determine exactly why the driver failed to stop, legal professionals emphasize the importance of independent accident reconstruction in failure-to-yield cases.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Distraction from a phone or slowed reactions from alcohol or fatigue can cause a driver to miss a stop sign, sending a vehicle into cross traffic where side impacts often produce catastrophic injuries with little time to react."
"A legal team pushes for toxicology results, phone records and dashcam footage while pushing back against adjusters eager to minimize payouts, protecting surviving relatives from financial hardship," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there were 1,157 traffic death across the state in 2024, with failure to yield remaining a leading cause of deadly intersection crashes.
What legal options exist for families after a fatal intersection collision?
When a driver disregards a stop sign and causes a fatal crash, the victim's family may pursue a civil claim regardless of whether criminal charges are immediately filed.
Ohio wrongful death statute
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.01, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Ohio applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Accepting an early settlement offer can permanently close off future compensation. A legal team always carefully reviews medical records, financial documents, and long-term needs before recommending any agreement to surviving relatives, ensuring numbers reflect reality rather than insurer convenience," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.