Distracted driving injures 2

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GREENVILLE – A Van Wert woman was seriously injured when the driver in her vehicle was distracted by his cell phone and lost control of a minivan.

According to the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, Zach Baker, 29, of Van Wert, was driving a Dodge Caravan north on US 127 near Childrens Home Bradford Road April 23 at 2:28 p.m. when he looked at his phone and drifted off the left side of the road. He tried steering back onto the road and overcorrected, causing the minivan to slide out of control off the right side of the road. The vehicle then struck a ditch and overturned.

Baker was transported by Greenville Township Rescue to Wayne HealthCare for non-incapacitating injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt, and his airbag deployed.

He was cited for failure to reinstate a license, as he was found to be driving without a valid driver’s license.

Teresa M. Walker, 44, of Van Wert, the owner of the vehicle, was seated in the front passenger seat. She was transported for incapacitating injuries. According to the report, she also was wearing a seatbelt and her airbag deployed.

The minivan sustained disabling damage. The driver reported he was traveling at the speed limit, which is 60 miles per hour in that area.

Rachel Lloyd

Reach the writer at 937-569-4354 or on Twitter @RachelLloydGDA. Join the conversation at Facebook.com/Advocate360 or visit our website at www.dailyadvocate.com.

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