CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A series of crashes on US Route 23 in Ross County on Wednesday left several people injured, prompting an extensive emergency response and causing significant traffic disruptions.
The first crash occurred at 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of US 23 and Maple Lane. A 2017 Dodge Charger, driven by Kimberly Collura, 68, of Pickerington, was traveling northbound on US 23 when she attempted to turn left onto Maple Lane. Her vehicle was struck by a 2010 Ford Escape, driven by Dominik Littlejohn, 20, of Chillicothe, who was traveling southbound.
Littlejohn was accompanied by Taylor Coyle, 21, of Chillicothe, and three juveniles. All passengers were transported to Adena Regional Medical Center, with two of the juveniles later transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus for further treatment.
Collura sustained serious injuries and was flown to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center by MedFlight.
As first responders from the Ross County Sheriff’s Department, Scioto Township Fire and EMS, Green Township EMS, Huntington Township EMS, VA Fire Department, and the Ohio Department of Transportation worked at the scene, traffic was restricted in both directions.
Shortly thereafter, at 12:55 p.m., a secondary crash occurred in the southbound lanes of US 23 near Three Locks Road. A 2021 International semi, driven by Charles Johnson, 34, of Groveport, was stopped due to traffic from the initial crash when he was rear-ended by a 2020 Ford F-150 driven by Samuel Beeler, 58, of Chillicothe.
Beeler was critically injured and was airlifted to Grant Medical Center in Columbus by MedFlight. His passenger was transported to Adena Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. Johnson was not injured in the crash.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding both accidents.
