CHILLICOTHE, OH – A tragic two-vehicle crash on U.S. Route 23 in Ross County claimed the life of a young driver and seriously injured another Tuesday evening.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the collision occurred at approximately 5:59 p.m. on August 5, 2025, near the intersection of U.S. 23 and Alma Omega Road in Franklin Township.
Authorities say 18-year-old Drezden Bolin-Hitchens of Waverly was driving a 2020 GMC Terrain southeast on U.S. 23 when he crossed the center line and struck a 2016 Nissan NV2500 head-on. The Nissan was being driven by Joseph Brandt, 18, of Columbus.
Bolin-Hitchens was pronounced dead at the scene. Brandt suffered serious injuries and was transported by Huntington Township EMS to Adena Regional Medical Center.
A passenger in Brandt’s vehicle, Luis Granados-Soto, 44, of Blacklick, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was also transported to Adena by Scioto Township EMS.
Emergency crews from multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT, Huntington and Scioto Township Fire and EMS, and the Ross County Coroner’s Office.
Both the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 23 were shut down for approximately three hours as investigators worked the scene.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
