COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio (August 4, 2025) — An 87-year-old Chillicothe man has died following a minor traffic accident in Ross County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Troopers from the Chillicothe Post responded to the 7000 block of Walnut Creek Road at approximately 11:55 a.m. Monday after a witness reported seeing a man injured outside of a vehicle.
The man, identified as Ralyn Barnhart, was found on the ground near his 2006 Dodge 2500 pickup truck, which had veered off the left side of the road and struck a tree. The crash caused only minor damage to the vehicle.
Emergency responders from the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, Colerain Township EMS and Fire Department, and the Ross County Coroner’s Office arrived on the scene. Life-saving efforts were made, but Barnhart was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
Preliminary findings suggest that Mr. Barnhart was not injured as a result of the crash, but may have experienced a medical emergency that led to his death.
Walnut Creek Road was closed for roughly three hours as troopers conducted their investigation.
The incident remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
