Ohio: Former fire chief struck by car, now in ICU

Former Sandusky fire Chief Dan Shepherd was struck and seriously injured Friday night as he was walking into Cameo Pizza. Shepherd, 70, of Anderson Street, is now continuing treatment at the Cleveland MetroHealth intensive care unit. He underwent surgery Sunday morning.

His daughter, Leslie Shepherd, said he sustained severe injuries in the crash — he has two broken leg bones, eight broken ribs, a broken shoulder and required 15 staples to his head.

Shepherd was crossing West Monroe Street at a crosswalk at about 9 p.m. Friday when an eastbound 2005 Ford Focus struck him.

“From what I was told, it was quite a blow,” Leslie said. The Focus was reportedly traveling at the 35 mph speed limit. Shepherd was tossed into the air upon impact.A friend who was with Shepherd told Leslie that he'd spotted the oncoming car and yelled for Shepherd to stop, but Shepherd never heard the warning.“The (Focus) didn't have time to stop,” Sandusky police Sgt. Brad Wilson said, citing a police report. The driver of the Focus — Larry Devault, 55, 2900 block U.S. 6, Fremont — was not charged because he did not appear to be at fault, according to Sandusky police Chief John Orzech.

“The prosecutor will be consulted to determine if any charges are warranted,” Orzech said. Sandusky firefighters rushed to the scene and tended to the former fire chief. They took him to Firelands Regional Medical Center, and from there, he was flown by medical helicopter to Cleveland.During surgery on Sunday morning, a pin was placed in Shepherd's leg. Leslie said no other surgeries are needed at this point.

“He wanted to come home, but he's in the best place for him right now. Even though there were head (injuries), there was no internal head (trauma),” Leslie said. “It's really a miracle from what I've heard.”Shepherd began his tenure as Sandusky fire chief in 1991, according to fire officials.