ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — Troopers from the Chillicothe Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a two-vehicle head-on crash on State Route 159 near Clayburne Boulevard in Ross County on Monday night, the Patrol said.
The crash occurred Oct. 26 at approximately 9:55 p.m., when the Patrol’s Jackson Communication Center received a report of the two-vehicle crash on State Route 159.
A 2015 Kia Sorento operated by Merissa Smallridge, 17, of Laurelville, was traveling northeast on State Route 159 when it was struck by a 2019 Ford F-150 operated by Benjamin Beechler, 44, of Chillicothe, according to the Patrol.
A passenger in the Ford F-150, Christopher Compher, 51, of Chillicothe, sustained serious injuries in the crash, the Patrol said. He was transported to Adena Regional Medical Center by Green Township EMS and later flown to Grant Medical Center by MedFlight.
Beechler sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene, according to the Patrol.
Smallridge was transported to Adena Regional Medical Center by Springfield Township EMS with minor injuries and was later transported to Children’s Hospital, the Patrol said.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Green Township EMS, Springfield Township EMS and Penwell’s Towing. State Route 159 south was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was investigated.
The crash remains under investigation.
