BUCKSKIN TOWNSHIP, OH – The Chillicothe Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a tragic two-vehicle crash that claimed the life of one person and injured two others Saturday afternoon in Ross County.
The crash occurred around 1:00 p.m. on June 6, 2025, along State Route 28 near the intersection with State Route 41 in Buckskin Township. According to troopers, David L. Babcock, 78, of Chillicothe, was driving a 2012 Nissan Versa westbound on SR-28 when he rear-ended a 2023 Can-Am Spyder motorcycle.
The motorcycle was also traveling westbound and was operated by Patrick M. Schmidt, 61, of Orient. Riding as a passenger on the Spyder was Lori B. Schmidt, 56, also of Orient.
Emergency responders from Paint Creek EMS transported Mr. Babcock to Adena Greenfield Medical Center for treatment. Mr. Schmidt was airlifted by MedFlight to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus with serious injuries. Tragically, Mrs. Schmidt was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Ross County Sheriff’s Office, Greenfield Police Department, and Paint Creek Fire and EMS assisted at the crash site. State Route 28 was shut down for approximately three and a half hours as investigators worked the scene.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the cause of the crash.
