State Highway Patrol Investigating Fatal Traffic Crash
Norwalk, OH – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is investigating a two-vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred on January 27, 2025, at approximately 8:56 PM, on Cleveland Road near Townsend Avenue in the City of Norwalk in Huron County.
Ashley Smith (31) of Wakeman, OH, was driving a 2012 Hyundai Accent east bound on Cleveland Road. William Kovac (67) of Cleveland, OH was driving a 2018 Kenworth T3 Series west bound on Cleveland Road. Miss Smith went left of center and struck Mr. Kovac’s truck head-on. Miss Smith was not wearing her seat belt and suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash. She was later pronounced deceased at Fisher Titus Medical Center. Mr. Kovac did not suffer any injuries as a result of the crash.
It is unknown if alcohol and/ or drugs were a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by Norwalk Police Department, Norwalk Fire Department, Huron County Sheriff’s Office, North Central EMS, Interstate Towing and the Huron County Coroner.