TWIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A Saturday afternoon drive turned into a life-threatening emergency for three young adults after their pickup truck careened off a rural Ross County road and struck a concrete barrier.
The serious single-vehicle accident occurred on March 28, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m. near 4742 Black Run Road.
The Collision
According to the Ross County Sheriff’s crash report, a black 2004 Chevrolet S-10 pickup, driven by 19-year-old Olivia Nichole Lapetina, was traveling northbound on Black Run Road when it drifted off the right side of the roadway.
The vehicle plunged into a ditch and collided head-on with a concrete barrier. The force of the impact was so severe that the truck spun 180 degrees before coming to a rest facing the opposite direction.
Critical Injuries and Emergency Response
First responders from the Bainbridge Fire Department and Scioto Township EMS arrived to find a chaotic scene. Two passengers in the vehicle suffered suspected serious injuries:
- James Lewis Kuhn, 21: Occupying the front passenger seat, Kuhn was reportedly trapped in the wreckage and had to be freed by non-mechanical means. He was air-lifted by medical helicopter to Grant Medical Center in Columbus.
- Colton L. Kuhn, 18: A passenger in the rear of the cab, he also sustained serious injuries and was air-lifted to Grant Medical Center.
The driver, Olivia Lapetina, was listed with “possible injuries” and was not immediately transported to the trauma center by EMS.
Investigation Findings
Deputy Derek Sutton, who led the investigation, noted that the crash occurred on a straight stretch of blacktop during clear, dry daylight conditions. The report indicates that the vehicle sustained “disabling damage” to the front end.
The contributing factor for the crash was listed as “Drove Off Road.” Authorities confirmed that insurance was verified and the wreckage was cleared by Penwell’s Garage & Towing. The roadway remained closed for over an hour as the Crash Reconstruction Unit processed the scene and the medical helicopters utilized the area for landing zones.
