Driver Killed in Lucas County Car Accident on US 20
The driver has been identified as James Kenczewicz, 69, of Swanton, who died in the midday collision near Kilburn Road in Richfield Township.
Candice BondJames Kenczewicz, 69, of Swanton, was killed in a car crash on US 20 near Kilburn Road in Richfield Township, Lucas County, on September 28, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The Midday Collision on US 20
At approximately 12:40 p.m., Kenczewicz was driving a 2023 Buick Envision westbound on US 20 when a 2022 GMC Sierra traveling eastbound crossed left of center and struck his vehicle. Kenczewicz's car went into a field on the north side of the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in Kenczewicz's vehicle and the other driver were taken by ground ambulance to Toledo Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Patrol noted that safety belts were in use and that impairment does not appear to be a factor. US 20 was closed in both directions for about three hours before reopening.
Why Car Crashes on Open Roads Turn Severe
The collision happened on a two-lane highway where opposing traffic travels in close proximity. Even a crash between two ordinary cars can escalate quickly when a vehicle crosses into oncoming lanes, leaving the other driver little time or space to react. The speed difference between vehicles at the moment of impact is one of the strongest predictors of how serious the outcome becomes.
According to IIHS, Ohio saw 1,157 traffic fatalities in 2024. Asked by Accident News in a past interview why car crashes turn serious, Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, who has represented families after fatal car crashes, said, "Even a crash between two ordinary cars can turn severe when distraction, speed, or a failure to yield sets it in motion. The speed difference between the two vehicles is one of the strongest predictors of how bad the outcome becomes."
Where the Ohio State Highway Patrol Investigation Stands
The Toledo Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation, which remains open. The Lucas County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and two township fire departments assisted at the scene. No charges have been announced, and no crash report has been made public.
Bond added, "Fault in a car crash turns on the rules of the road, so investigators reconstruct the collision from each vehicle's onboard data recorder, the skid marks and damage patterns, and any traffic-camera footage to work out the sequence in the seconds before impact."
Affected by an accident like this?
Here is what usually happens next and roughly when.
Within days
The other driver's insurer calls to talk about the crash.
Days to weeks
The crash report reaches the state system. It's the record everything else is built on.
Weeks to months
The insurer offers you a payment to close the case. It may not cover all your costs.
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