ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — One person has died following a crash Sunday afternoon in Ross County, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol.
The Guardian broke the story of a collision along route 35 just outside of Richmond Dale at around 4:30 p.m. this afternoon.
In a statement released by the patrol, a 2005 Peterbilt semi, driven by 57-year-old Lynn Hornsby Jr., attempted to make a right hand turn onto Limerick Road from route 35 when a 2018 Mercedes Sprinter van, driven by Ivan Flores-Heilbron, 50, of Michigan, collided with the tractor-trailer.
Officials say the semi, hauling logs, traveled off the left side of Limerick Road, striking a guardrail.
Fire and rescue crews from multiple townships responded to the scene.
Heilbron, troopers say, had to be cut from the wrecked vehicle. He was later flown by medical helicopter to Grant Hospital in Columbus, where he succumbed to his injuries. Hornsby was taken by ambulance to Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe for minor injuries.
Route 35 eastbound was closed for nearly 2 hours as crews worked to clear the scene. Several firefighters, reports say, sustained injuries during the rescue operation and were also treated by EMS for heat exhaustion.
The crash remains under investigation, said a spokesperson for the patrol.