CAR CRASHES INTO THE WOODS

TWO MEN FLOWN AFTER CRASH

Story and Photos by BRIAN WOODS
Carlisle Township – State Troopers are investigating what caused an Elyria man to bury his car deep into the woods on West River Road South late Monday night.

Troopers say that 42-year-old Larry Esper was driving his Ford Mustang northbound on West River Road South in Carlisle Township at a high rate of speed when he lost control and first went off the left side of the road. Esper got the car back on the road only to then go off the right side of the road striking a mailbox then several small trees and a utility pole.

Witnesses say that Esper’s car rolled a number of times before coming to rest on its wheels about 100 yards in the woods. Esper’s passenger was ejected from the car while Esper was trapped inside of the car.

Carlisle Township Firefighters responded and had to first make their way back to Esper’s car and then begin their work of extricating Esper from the mangled car.

Firefighters were able to free Esper in about 10 minutes at which time Paramedics from LifeCare Ambulance began treating him. Firefighters then carried Esper out of the woods to the Ambulance. He was then transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital.

Carlisle Firefighters had already requested helicopters to meet LifeCare at Elyria Memorial Hospital. One landed on the roof of the hospital while the second landed in the parking lot of McKinley School right next door. One of the two ambulances went directly to the awaiting helicopter and turned over care to the Metro LifeFlight Medical Team. Both men were then flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Although the investigation is still ongoing Troopers say that alcohol was a factor in the crash. Charges against Esper are pending.


PHOTO GALLERY