ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — First responders were spread thin as multiple accidents were reported Monday morning across the Ross County area.
A series of crashes began shortly after 6:30 a.m. during the early morning rush hour. According to troopers with the Ohio Highway Patrol, bridges and overpasses around the Chillicothe area were glazed over with ice.
The first crash was reported along Route 35 just east of Route 104. Deputies say the driver had hit a patch of ice while merging onto the freeway which caused the vehicle to lose traction, spin into the center median, and strike a guard rail. Medics from Union Township were requested to the scene. One person was transported to the hospital.
Shortly after another crash occurred on South Bridge Street near Cooks Hill Road. The driver stated he was traveling northbound on South Bridge Street when he lost control on the bridge, sending him into oncoming traffic, and striking a concrete barrier. The driver declined any medical treatment.
At 7:30 a.m., rescue crews responded to Route 23 near Eastern Avenue. The driver stated that she was heading home when she crossed the bridge on the highway, hit the ice, and then slid off the roadway. No injuries were reported.
While crews were responding to the Route 23 accident, another one occurred just north of Chillicothe on the same highway. Medics and deputies were called to Route 159 at Route 23 for a two-vehicle collision with no injuries.
An additional two other crashes along Route 23 were reported by the Ross County Sheriff’s Office.
In a tragic turn of events, medics were requested for an active overdose on Cooks Hill Road yesterday morning. Medics told dispatchers that they were unable to respond due to the number of car crashes. Deputies, reports say, used a single dose of Narcan (the overdose reversal medication) but were unable to revive the person. It would be several minutes before EMS could arrive.
