Sheffield Township – A total of six people were taken to
the hospital Saturday night after a crash on South Broadway and Cooper Foster
Park Road.
State Troopers say 26 year old Jose A Guerra of Lorain
was traveling south on Broadway when he went left of center in a black Ford
Fusion. The car went off the road striking a mailbox and continued south
through yards striking a couple of sign posts and another mailbox before
entering the parking lot of Broadway Assembly Church. Debris was strewn across
the church lot leading to where the car struck the northwest corner of the
building. That portion of the building is the “children’s room” and Church
workers say three children had just left that room moments before the crash.
Sheffield Township Firefighters arrived to find Guerra
and 5 children injured. A mutual aid request went out bringing in Firefighters
from Elyria Township and Sheffield Village to assist with the victims.
According to the State Patrol 3 of the 5 children,
ranging in age from 6 to 14, were seriously injured while the other two
received minor injuries. Guerra, who was walking around at the scene decided to
go by ambulance to be evaluated as well. AT least one of the children was flown
by Toledo LifeFlight from Mercy Hospital to Cleveland Metro.
The Patrol stated that although Guerra said he was belted
in, several of the children were unrestrained.
The crash remains under investigation but Troopers do not
believe drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. Guerra does not have a
valid driver’s license. According to court records Guerra has an extensive driving
record including speeding, excessive noise-stereo and numerous operating a
vehicle without a license.
