2 hurt when car hits vaults off bridge into Sandusky River

FREMONT — A driver and passenger suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries after their car hit a curb and catapulted over the State Street Bridge into the Sandusky River early Sunday morning.

Interim Police Chief Derek Wensinger said Monday there were charges pending in the incident, which occurred at 2:19 a.m. Sunday.

Wensinger said Kendrick D. Smith, 48, was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Impala near the bridge when it hit a curb, launched over the city's flood wall and landed upside down in three to four feet of water in the river.

Smith was listed as a resident of Laurel, Mississippi, but Wensinger said he believes the driver lives in Fremont.

The police chief said Johnny R. Gavin, 42, of Fremont was a passenger in the vehicle.

"They're both going to make it," Wensinger said, describing the men's injuries as nonlife-threatening.

Wensinger said both men were responsive and talking to police after they were rescued from the river.

He said the incident is still under investigation, with alcohol a suspected factor in the crash.

Fishermen along the Sandusky River alerted emergency responders through 911 calls, Wensinger said.

A crane was used to remove the Impala from the river.

In addition to Fremont Police, the Fremont Fire Department, Sandusky County EMS, Ballville Township Fire Department and LifeFlight responded to the crash.

Wensinger said the Fremont Fire and Ballville Township Fire river rescue teams were on the scene.

dacarson@gannett.com

419-334-1046

Twitter: @DanielCarson7