Trish Bennett, Editor
SOUTH BLOOMFIELD – A Circleville woman suffered minor injuries Wednesday after reportedly falling asleep and crashing into the back of a South Bloomfield police cruiser.
Stephanie Vansickle, 25, was traveling southbound on U.S. Route 23 about 6:27 a.m. Wednesday when the crash occurred, according to Deputy Stacey Eitel, Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Eitel said Vansickle advised she was on her way home from work and fell asleep at the wheel just south of state Route 316 in the village. Investigators believe she was traveling between 40 and 50 miles per hour in a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am when she rear-ended car #6557, driven by Sgt. Johnny Wells.
Vansickle reportedly suffered a minor hand injury and was transported to Berger Hospital by Harrison Township EMS for treatment. She was cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead, as well as driving under suspension and with no insurance.
Wells was not injuried in the crash, but Chief Kendall McCoy said he was checked out and cleared by Berger Hospital per village policy regarding accidents in village-owned vehicles.
The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles and put the police cruiser out of service for at least the next couple of weeks, McCoy said. With the department’s Chevy Tahoe also currently out of service with mechanical issues, the department is at the bare minimum of vehicles to maintain standard patrol.
“We’re down to two vehicles right now, so we’re scrambling trying to get everything done and get them back on the road,” McCoy said. “We’ve got what we need right now, but it will be tight until we can get these back in service.”
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
