CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating two commercial vehicle crashes that occurred late Tuesday on U.S. 35 in Jefferson Township in Ross County.
According to the patrol, the crashes happened at approximately 11:01 p.m. near milepost 34.
Authorities said a 2026 Freightliner semi operated by Ronoldo Baccas, 26, of Jamaica, New York, was traveling southeast on U.S. 35 when it went off the right side of the roadway. Investigators said Baccas overcorrected, causing the vehicle to overturn and re-enter the roadway. The semi struck two road signs before coming to rest in the middle of the eastbound lanes.
Moments later, a 2025 Volvo semi operated by Jason Keith, 49, of Lancaster, Ohio, was also traveling southeast on U.S. 35 and struck the overturned Freightliner in the roadway, authorities said. After the collision, the Volvo traveled off the left side of the roadway, striking a guardrail and a bridge pillar.
U.S. 35 eastbound was closed at Vigo Road and remained closed as of early Wednesday, according to the highway patrol. The Ohio Department of Transportation established a detour and remained on scene.
Keith sustained minor injuries and was transported by Jefferson Township EMS to Adena Regional Medical Center, authorities said. Baccas was transported by MedFlight to Grant Medical Center in Columbus and was reported to be in stable condition.
The crashes remain under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.