WHITEHOUSE – A teen driver and his driving instructor were killed in a two-vehicle crash south of the
village Monday afternoon.
The Toledo Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that Joseph A. Franks, 16, Swanton, and Thomas
P. Smith, 48, Whitehouse, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred at 2:29 p.m. on Neapolis-Waterville Road at Heller Road.
Franks was reportedly driving a 2005 Chevrolet Impala south on Heller Road when he failed to stop at the
intersection.
Franks’ vehicle was then struck in the passenger side by a 2005 Dodge Caravan driven east on
Neapolis-Waterville Road by Kathleen Woods, 48, Swanton.
According to the Associated Press, Franks’ vehicle was knocked off the roadway, rolled and landed in the
yard of a nearby house.
Woods was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital after the crash for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

All involved were wearing seatbelts.
Smith worked for Key Driving School, Inc., which has locations in Whitehouse, Napoleon and Delta.
There did not appear to be any indication that either vehicle tried to brake prior to the incident.
The crash remains under investigation.