State trooper killed in crash

RIDGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WUPW) - RIDGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WUPW) -- Two Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers responding to a mutual assist call in Wyandot County Thursday evening crashed, killing one trooper and injuring the other.

The accident took place on Township Highway 95 near Township Highway 27 / Brown Road southwest of the Village of Carey at around 6:15 p.m.

The state troopers were without flashing lights and sirens at the time of the accident, said Lt. Stephanie Norman, OHP Bucyrus Post Commander .

Killed in the crash was 25-year-old Andrew Baldridge, who had graduated in December 2009 from the state academy. He died at the scene of the crash, Lt. Norman said. Trooper Baldridge is a 2003 Carey High School graduate.

An air ambulance was dispatched and transferred 33-year-old Trooper Mark McLaughlin, a six-year veteran of the patrol, to Mercy St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo.

Trooper McLaughlin is a field training officer. He was discharged from Mercy St. V Friday after spending the night in fair condition.

The cruiser was traveling southbound on Township Highway 95 and had just past State Route 103. It hit an embankment and went off the right side of the road, Lt. Norman said.

Trooper Baldridge, who was operating the cruiser, the post commander said.

"As they were going down the roadway there was a small knoll," she said. "The small knoll slightly pushed the car upwards and Trooper Baldridge lost control."

Trooper Baldridge tried to adjust and bring the cruiser back onto the road, but the cruiser instead rolled over several times, trapping the two inside.

Rescue crews cut them out, but Trooper Baldridge was pronounced dead at the scene.

Wyandot County Sheriff Mike Hetzel said Trooper Baldridge was the kind of kid you'd want your daughter to bring home.

"This is all he's ever wanted to do," Sheriff Hetzel said of Trooper Baldridge. "Four days ago I had dinner with him in Columbus with my sons and him. He knew my officers and dispatchers, Carey PD, Upper Sandusky PD. They've all vacationed together. They've spent a lot of time but it's .. it's like your own son, and I have sons in law enforcement."

"It's not going to be a good time for everybody," he added.

Gov. Ted Strickland ordered all state flags on Friday to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Trooper Baldridge.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

FOX Toledo News videographer Mike Thompson and Findlay Living Magazine, a FOX Toledo News media partner, contributed to this report