Wayne County woman killed Friday in 2-car crash on Route 301 in Carlisle Township (UPDATED)

CARLISLE TWP — Michael and Elaine Patterson drove 20 miles Friday from their home in Burbank in Wayne County to pick up a purse that Elaine Patterson had bought from Stacey Iler on Facebook Marketplace. They were within sight of their destination when tragedy struck just before 1:30 p.m. As Michael Patterson turned their black 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser into a driveway in the 14200 block of state Route 301, they were hit by a Ford pickup trying to pass on the left. The impact carried the PT Cruiser and the pickup truck off the left side of state Route 301, the State Highway Patrol said Friday. The PT Cruiser caught fire. Witnesses and the driver of the truck, identified by the highway patrol as Anthony Weir, 46, of Wellington, tried to help the Pattersons, but there was nothing they could do. A firetruck that just happened to be passing stopped to help even before anyone called 911, a witness said. The State Highway Patrol said Elaine Patterson, 71, was killed in the crash, while Michael Patterson, 63, was seriously injured and transported to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center. Troopers said both were wearing their seat belts. Preliminary investigation was that the Pattersons' vehicle pulled out of a private drive just south of the Iler residence and headed north again on Route 301. Weir's black 2025 Ford F-350 also was traveling north on Route 301 behind the Chrysler. The highway patrol said the Ford began to pass left as the Chrysler turned left into the Ilers' driveway. The Ford hit the Chrysler, pushing both vehicles off the left side of the roadway. Weir and his passenger, Frank Sadzewics III, 55, of Creston, were wearing their seat belts when the crash happened. Weir had minor injuries and Sadzewics was not injured, the Highway Patrol said. Iler said Elaine Patterson texted her just before the crash. "They texted me 'We found (your address),'" she said. "I was texting with her when the crash happened." The Pattersons first pulled into the driveway for Iler's daughter's house, one house south, but Iler said Elaine Patterson never read her final text that told the Pattersons to keep going one more house to the north. Purse in hand, Iler said she got into her car and drove to the end of her long driveway "thinking I would meet them and do the exchange. "I realized when they never responded, it was them," Iler said. "My heart just hurts so bad. ... It hurts, hurts, hurts." She said a neighbor walked up and saw the horrible aftermath of the crash. Weir also "immediately" got out of the truck to try and help the Pattersons, but with the PT Cruiser on fire there was nothing he and Iler's neighbor could do, Iler said. No charges have been filed and the Highway Patrol said the crash remains under investigation. The Ohio Department of Transportation closed Route 301 to through traffic at Parsons Road for several hours while troopers took measurements and photos in a cold rain. The Lorain County Sheriff's Office, county Coroner's Office, Carlisle and LaGrange fire departments, LifeCare Ambulance and D n A Towing also responded to the scene. Iler said she's seen multiple serious crashes in front of her house, including several involving family members. She said she's taking the crash as another opportunity to warn her children. Put on your turn signal in plenty of time. Use your brakes. Keep an eye out behind you. If you can't turn safely, keep going: You can always turn around and come back. "If anything a lesson can be learned that I can share with my kids, its how important it is to be defensive with your driving," Iler said. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.