Krysten Hause Injured in South Toledo Car Accident
Passenger hospitalized with critical injuries after head-on collision on Airport Highway
Krysten Hause, 35, of Yachats, Oregon, was critically injured in a head-on crash on Airport Highway in South Toledo, Ohio, on Saturday, according to the Toledo Police Department.
Detectives continue to examine the wreckage to determine why the oncoming car veered out of its lane. The westbound vehicle crossed the center line at 1:34 a.m. and struck the eastbound car head-on. Hause was a passenger in the vehicle going east.
The 43-year-old driver of the vehicle carrying the Oregon woman died at the scene. Paramedics rushed the 35-year-old passenger to the University of Toledo Medical Center with critical injuries.
The driver of the westbound vehicle also suffered critical injuries and was hospitalized.
No charges have been filed.
The sudden trauma of a head-on collision leaves victims like Hause facing a long, difficult recovery far from home. While the community rallies to support those impacted by the crash, investigators are working to piece together the exact sequence of events.
Why did the westbound vehicle cross the center line on Airport Highway?
Because the crash occurred at 1:34 a.m., investigators routinely look into toxicology and where drivers were prior to late-night collisions.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Distracted driving continues to play a major role in head-on collisions, since even a brief glance away from the road can send a vehicle drifting into oncoming traffic."
"A legal team often tracks down business security footage, nearby witnesses, and cellphone activity quickly to build a very clear and reliable timeline, then works to hold every responsible party fully accountable," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Data%20database.) from the Ohio Department of Public Safety shows that roadway departures and center-line crossovers are among the leading causes of fatal and serious injury crashes statewide.
What legal options exist for passengers injured in South Toledo crashes?
Determining exactly which factors caused a vehicle to leave its lane requires a thorough examination of the road and vehicle data.
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.
"Serious head-on collisions often cause some of the most severe injuries seen on any roadway, striking without warning and leaving little chance to avoid catastrophic impact," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.
"An attorney often moves quickly before evidence disappears, working closely with reconstruction specialists to rebuild the timeline while helping injured individuals sort through overlapping insurance claims during a painful and uncertain stretch of time."