GREEN TOWNSHIP, OH — A chain-reaction crash at a rural intersection in Ross County on Friday afternoon resulted in serious injuries for two drivers and a temporary closure of the roadway.
The accident occurred at approximately 4:29 PM on April 3, 2026, at the intersection of Kingston Adelphi Road (County Road 280) and Jadwin Road (Township Road 249B).
The Incident
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, driven by Kevin L. Shaw, 45, of Kingston, was traveling southeast on Kingston Adelphi Road.
As Shaw approached the intersection, he struck the rear of a 2023 Kia Seltos operated by Rebecca Lee DiBenedetto, 48, of Kingston. DiBenedetto was in the process of making a right-hand turn onto Jadwin Road at the time of impact. The force of the collision propelled DiBenedetto’s vehicle into a 1988 Chevrolet GMT-400 pickup truck, driven by John Randell Wiles, 74, of Pickerington, who was attempting to turn left from Jadwin Road onto Kingston Adelphi Road.
Injuries and Emergency Response
The crash resulted in serious injuries for two of the involved parties:
- Kevin Shaw (Unit 1) was treated at the scene by Pickaway Township EMS before being transported to Grant Medical Center in Columbus with suspected serious injuries.
- Rebecca Lee DiBenedetto (Unit 2) was transported by Green Township EMS to Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe, also with suspected serious injuries.
- John Wiles (Unit 3) sustained suspected minor injuries and was treated at the scene by Green Township EMS.
Investigation and Charges
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigation, led by Trooper Devin Bousquet, determined that the primary cause of the accident was Shaw following too closely. Shaw has been cited for Assured Clear Distance Ahead (ORC 4511.21A).
The report noted that while DiBenedetto and Wiles were confirmed to be using safety equipment, Shaw’s use of safety equipment was listed as unknown. Distraction is suspected as a factor regarding Shaw, though the investigation remains ongoing.
All three vehicles sustained disabling damage and were removed from the scene by local towing services. The roadway was closed for approximately 75 minutes while crews cleared the wreckage and troopers completed their initial report.
