COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A tragic head-on collision on State Route 327 claimed the life of a juvenile passenger and left two others severely injured Wednesday evening.
Troopers from the Chillicothe Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are currently investigating the two-vehicle accident, which occurred near milepost 7 in Ross County’s Colerain Township.
According to state troopers, the Patrol’s Jackson Communication Center first received reports of the crash at approximately 7:53 P.M. on June 3, 2026.
Investigating officers determined that a 2010 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by 57-year-old William Schwalbach of Laurelville, was traveling northbound on State Route 327. Schwalbach’s vehicle reportedly traveled left of the center line, striking a southbound 2008 Ram 1500 pickup truck head-on. The pickup truck was driven by Thomas Underwood, 26, of Circleville.
Multiple Injuries and Helicopter Transports Reported
The severe impact prompted a massive mutual-aid response from several regional emergency departments.
The occupants of the Chevrolet Malibu suffered the most severe consequences:
- The rear juvenile passenger was rushed by ambulance to Chillicothe Adena Regional Medical Center, where they were tragically pronounced deceased.
- The front juvenile passenger was initially transported to Chillicothe Adena Regional Medical Center before being critically stabilized and flown via MedFlight to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.
- The driver, William Schwalbach, sustained severe injuries and was flown directly from the scene by MedFlight to Grant Medical Center in Columbus.
The driver of the pickup truck, Thomas Underwood, was transported via Harrison Township EMS to Chillicothe Adena Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.
Multi-Agency Scene Response
Due to the severity of the head-on collision and the number of victims involved, State Route 327 was heavily restricted Wednesday night.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the crash site by emergency crews from Scioto Township Fire and EMS, Harrison Township Fire and Rescue, Green Township Fire and Rescue, Colerain Township Fire and Rescue, and MedFlight air ambulance services.
The exact cause of the crash remains under active investigation by state troopers. No further details regarding the identities or conditions of the surviving juvenile passenger have been released at this time.
