Two-vehicle crash causes vehicle fire

ORANGE TWP — A vehicle was fully engulfed in flames as a result of a Thursday morning two-vehicle crash with injuries of unknown severity in the 21000block of Ohio 235. According to a release from the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, Caiden Helms was transported to St. Rita's Medical Center and Kathy Elsass was transported Lima Memorial Hospital, both with injuries of unknown severity following the 6:45 a.m. accident. The release said deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash in the 21000 block of Ohio 235 where a preliminary investigation of the crash revealed a 2009 Mitsubishi, driven by Helms, was traveling southbound on Ohio 235 and crossed the center lane striking a northbound 2023 Cadillac, driven by Elsass. Following the crash, Elsass became trapped in her vehicle that had caught fire. A passing Good Samaritan pulled her from the vehicle before it became fully engulfed in flames. The Bluffton Fire Department, Bluffton EMS, Hancock County Emergency Management Agency, R&A Towing and Flag City Towing assisted at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.