Sheriff’s Office Investigating Fatal Crash

(From the Wood County Sheriff’s Office)

On May 12, 2025, at 22:11 PM, The Wood County Sheriff’s Office investigated a two-vehicle crash which resulted in one fatality. The crash occurred at the intersection of S Dixie Highway and Defiance Pike.

The crash involved a Ford F350 and a Lincoln Town Car.

The investigation showed that the Ford was southbound on S Dixie Highway. The Lincoln was westbound on Defiance Pike. The Lincoln entered the intersection after failing to stop and/or failing to yield and was struck on the passenger side by the Ford.

The operator of the Lincoln was pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger in the Ford F350 was taken to Wood County Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The operator of the Lincoln was identified as 42-year-old Dane Knapp Sr. out of Auburn, Indiana. The operator of the Ford was 48-year-old James Wilhelm out of North Baltimore, Ohio. A passenger in the Ford, Lyndsi Wilhelm was transported to Wood County Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Assisting on scene were Mid-County 120 EMS, Weston EMS, and Cental Joint Fire.

The incident is still under investigation.