CONCORD TOWNSHIP, OH — Troopers from the Chillicothe Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating a tragic Saturday morning crash that claimed the life of a local pedestrian.
The incident occurred on May 16, 2026, on U.S. 35 near mile marker 3 in Concord Township, located in Ross County.
According to state troopers, the Patrol’s Jackson Communication Center initially received a report at 8:27 a.m. regarding an object on the side of the highway. Upon arriving at the scene, responding units discovered that a fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision had occurred.
Details of the Crash
Investigators determined that a 2021 Kia K5, driven by Paitaan White, 28, of Chillicothe, was traveling northwest on U.S. 35 when the vehicle struck a pedestrian walking on the roadway.
The pedestrian, identified as Jolayne C. Blake, 45, of Chillicothe, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her body was subsequently transported to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office by Haller Funeral Home.
The driver of the vehicle, White, did not report any injuries resulting from the impact.
Scene Closure and Ongoing Investigation
The multi-agency response heavily impacted morning travel, as U.S. 35 was completely shut down for approximately one hour while investigators processed the scene and cleared debris.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on-site by:
- Concord Township Fire and EMS
- The Ross County Sheriff’s Office
- The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office
The exact circumstances leading up to the crash remain unclear, and state troopers note that the incident remains under active investigation.
