LIVERPOOL TWP. — A Grafton woman was flown to a Cleveland hospital Wednesday morning after flipping her sport utility vehicle near Grafton and West River roads.

Rescue workers attempt to extricate an Elyria woman from a Dodge Durango this morning after she flipped the vehicle heading east on Grafton Road in Liverpool Township. The accident occurred about 7:19 a.m. near Grafton and West River roads. (GAZETTE PHOTO BY STEVE GRAZIER)

Karen Durbin-Sasack, 47, lost control of her eastbound 2002 Dodge Durango on Grafton Road. The SUV then slid into a ditch, hit a tree head-on and flipped the vehicle about 7:19 a.m. today, according to Trooper Nick Clemens of the Ohio Highway Patrol’s Medina post.

“There weren’t any skid skid marks, and she was out-of-control when she left the roadway,” said Clemens, who noted rainy and windy weather were likely factors in the accident.

There were no passengers in the SUV, Clemens said. The roof and dashboard of the Durango collapsed and pinned Durbin-Sasack’s legs in the vehicle, making it difficult for rescuers to remove her, he said.

“She was trapped in the car for about an hour and 20 minutes,” Clemens said.

Rescue crews were attempting to remove Durbin-Sasack from the vehicle while waiting for an emergency helicopter to arrive from Cleveland MetroHealth Medical Center. Windy weather was delaying the helicopter from immediately flying to the accident scene, a rescuer said.

A spokeswoman from the hospital said Durbin-Sasack was under observation and could not provide a status report this morning.

Clemens said Durbin-Sasack was conscious and alert at the scene. She was wearing a seat belt.

In addition to the OHP, agencies responding to the crash scene included the Valley City Fire Department and Medina County Sheriff’s Office.

Contact Steve Grazier (330) 721-4012 or sgrazier@medina-gazette.com.

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