PAXTON TOWNSHIP, OH – A two-vehicle crash on State Route 41 in Paxton Township, Ross County, resulted in multiple injuries on Sunday, June 22, 2025. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated the incident, which occurred at 3:11 p.m. near
The collision involved a 2002 Chevrolet S-10 pickup driven by Omer Clay Abner, 72, of Hillsboro, and a 2018 Ford F-150 driven by Kenneth D. Blair, 26, of Piketon, with passengers Candace Renee Ramey, 23, and a 2-year-old child. The narrative indicates that Unit 1 (Abner) drove left of center, striking Unit 2 (Blair) head-on on a curved grade section of the two-lane, undivided roadway. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage.
Injuries were reported, with Abner suffering serious injuries and being transported by Meflight to Ohio State University Hospital. Blair sustained suspected serious injuries and was airlifted by Medflight to Ohio State University in Columbus was taken by ambulance to local hospitals. Ramey had possible injuries, while the toddler appeared uninjured, though both were checked at the scene. Safety equipment usage included shoulder and lap belts, with airbags deployed, though ejection or trapping occurred in some cases.
The crash, occurring under daylight and cloudy conditions on a dry, blacktop surface with no traffic control, was attributed to Abner’s left-of-center driving. No alcohol or drugs were suspected, and speeds were estimated at 30 mph against a 55 mph posted limit. The roadway was closed for 150 minutes during the 180-minute investigation, led by Officer Haley Shreck (Badge #1542) and checked by Officer Nathan Mathias (Badge #1996).
