Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on November 15, 2020, at approximately 6:42 PM at the intersection of State Route 98 and State Route 309 in Claridon Township, Marion County.
The crash involved a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Michael Lee Wright, age 28, of Bucyrus, Ohio, and a 2015 Chevrolet Trax, driven by John C. Galati Jr, age 52, of Caledonia, Ohio. Preliminary investigation indicated that Mr. Galati was traveling eastbound on State Route 309. Mr. Wright was traveling southbound on State Route 98, failed to yield to the red light and struck the Chevrolet Trax. Mr. Galati’s vehicle came to rest off the south edge of State Route 309.
John Galati had two occupants at the time of the crash, Donna L. Galati, age 73, and James C. Galati, age 30, both of Caledonia, Ohio. Michael Wright had three juvenile occupants at the time of the crash.
Donna Galati was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Marion County Coroner’s Office. Ms. Galati was transported by Boyd’s Funeral Home to the Lucas County Morgue. John Galati was transported by Marion Township to Marion General Hospital and was later transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. James Galati was transported to Marion General Hospital by Fort Morrow and was later transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Michael Wright was transported to Marion General Hospital by Pleasant Township with non-life threatening injuries. One of the juvenile occupants was transported to Marion General Hospital by Pleasant Township and was later transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The other two juveniles did not sustain any injuries.
Donna Galati was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, First Consolidated Fire Department, Fort Morrow Township Fire Department, Marion Township Fire Department, Pleasant Township Fire Department, Marion County Coroner’s Office and Precision Towing. This crash remains under investigation.