CHILLICOTHE, Ohio —Following up on the Valero gas station crash that occurred on March 16, new details have emerged about the driver and the damages caused.
According to police reports, the driver of the grey Isuzu pickup, Wayne L Cotterman, suffered a cardiac arrest while driving and subsequently crashed into the gas station located at 61 N Bridge St.
Eyewitness accounts state that Cotterman had stopped in the middle of N. Bridge St. before the crash, prompting police to respond to reports of a reckless driver. Upon their arrival, officers found Cotterman slumped over and turning blue in the face. They quickly pulled him out of the vehicle and administered CPR, with Chillicothe EMS arriving shortly after to transport Cotterman to ARMC.
Meanwhile, inside the store, a woman and her granddaughter were seated at a table when Cotterman’s vehicle struck the wall, causing it to fall over and injuring one person with blocks and debris. The woman was taken to ARMC for minor injuries.
In addition to the damages caused to the gas station, Cotterman also struck a wooden sign that hit the right rear of a 2020 GMC Acadia, causing minor damage.
Chillicothe EMS later confirmed that there were no signs of impairment in Cotterman and that they believe his cardiac arrest led to the crash. His current condition was not released by the police. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
