FPS staff report
October 20, 2009
 Carroll County recorded its first traffic fatality of 2009 last Thursday when a mother of four children lost her life in a fatal two-vehicle crash on SR 171 in Rose Twp.
Christa N. (Nikki) Hafner, 34, of Arrow Rd., Carrollton, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by Carroll County Coroner Dr. Mandal Haas which occurred just west of the intersection of June Rd. (Twp. Rd. 200).
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, who investigated the fatality that occurred at 1 p.m. Oct. 15, Mrs. Hafner was eastbound on SR 171 in a 1998 Plymouth Breeze and went left of center, striking a westbound 2005 Ford F-250 truck driven by Paul Church, 44, of Canton head-on.
After the impact, the Church truck went off the right side of the roadway striking a utility pole. Church was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Canton and treated for minor injuries.
According to the Patrol, both drivers were wearing seat belts and air bags deployed. Alcohol was not suspected, the Patrol said. However, the crash remains under investigation.
According to Dr. Haas, Mrs. Hafner presumably died of multiple traumatic internal injuries. However, no autopsy was ordered.
The Jaws of Life were used by members of the Carrollton Village Fire Department to extricate the body. Both eastbound and westbound traffic was diverted until the accident scene was cleared by the State Patrol. The Carroll County Sheriff’s office also assisted with traffic control. |
