One killed, two injured in two-vehicle Wayne County crash Saturday

WAYNE TWP.  A Creston man was killed in a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning and a woman traveling in a second vehicle was flown to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash that occurred at about 8:38 a.m. on State Route 3 at County Road 78 in Wayne Township in Wayne County, according to a news release.

Rodney R. Roper, 44, of Wooster, was operating a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. He was taken to Wooster Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Seatbelt use for Roper was unknown at the time of the news release. Roper had a front seat passenger, Melisa C. Taylor, 44, of Wooster, who was flown via life flight to Akron City Hospital with serious injuries. She was wearing her safety belt at the time of the crash.

Douglas D. Arnold, 65, of Creston, was operating a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado. Arnold was pronounced dead at the scene by the Wayne County Coroner Office. He was not wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash.

Initial investigation revealed Roper was westbound on CR 78 approaching the intersection of SR 3. Arnold was southbound on SR 3. Roper failed to stop at the posted stop sign and entered the intersection with CR 78 and was struck by Arnold’s vehicle. The 2002 Chevrolet traveled off the southwest portion of the intersection and struck a house. The 1997 Chevrolet came to rest on the southwest corner of the intersection.

Drugs are suspected to be a contributing factor in this crash.

Assisting on scene were Wooster City EMS, Central Fire and EMS, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Wooster City Police Department, North End Garage, and the Wayne County Coroner Office, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol Reconstruction Unit.