Lima Woman Suffers Life-Threatening Injuries in Roll Over Crash Near Defiance and Putnam County Line

A Lima woman suffered life-threatening injuries in a one vehicle crash that occurred at just before midnight Thursday night on State Route 15 near the Defiance-Putnam County Line. SR15 was closed for nearly three hours.

According to a release from the Defiance Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, 49-year-old Sandra L. Lopez was a passenger in a car being driven by 43-year-old James L. Bolden III, also of Lima.

Bolden was driving north on 15, went off the right side of the roadway and overcorrected.

The vehicle continued off the left side of the roadway and overturned.

Lopez was transported to Defiance Regional and later life-flighted to Parkview Regional, by Samaritan.

Bolden sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and he was transported to Defiance Regional by Putnam County EMS.

Both occupants were not wearing seatbelts, and alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, which remain under investigation.

The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Defiance County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Ayersville Fire Department, Highland Township EMS, Continental Fire Department, Putnam County EMS, and John’s Towing and Repair.

Here is the complete release from OSP Defiance Post :

Highland Township – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Defiance Post is investigating a single vehicle rollover crash that occurred at approximately 11:51 P.M. on Thursday January 22, 2026. The crash occurred on SR15 near the Defiance Putnam County Line. SR15 was closed for nearly three hours.

A 2009 black Ford Fusion was driven by James L. Bolden III, age 43, of Lima, Ohio. Mr. Bolden III was northbound on SR15, went off the right side of the roadway and overcorrected. The vehicle continued off the left side of the roadway and overturned. A front seat passenger, Sandra L. Lopez, age 49, of Lima, Ohio sustained life-threatening injuries. She was transported to Defiance Regional, where she was later life-flighted to Parkview Regional, by Samaritan. Mr. Bolden III sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to Defiance Regional by Putnam County EMS.

The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Defiance County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Ayersville Fire Department, Highland Township EMS, Continental Fire Department, Putnam County EMS, and John’s Towing and Repair.

The crash remains under investigation. Both occupants were not wearing seatbelts, and alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.