CHILLICOTHE, OH — A devastating head-on collision early Wednesday afternoon has forced a total closure of U.S. Route 35 near the Main Street interchange, leaving several people with life-threatening injuries.
The crash occurred just before 12:30 p.m. on April 8, 2026, in the eastbound lanes of US-35 near the Main Street exit. According to preliminary reports from the scene, two vehicles collided head-on at high speed. The impact was severe enough to send one vehicle careening off the right side of the roadway, where it ultimately overturned and came to rest on its roof.
Massive Emergency Response
Ross County emergency responders, along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, rushed to the scene to find multiple victims trapped within the wreckage.
First responders have confirmed that several individuals sustained serious injuries. At least one person was reportedly being evaluated for air medical transport to a Columbus-area trauma center, though the exact number of patients and their current conditions have not yet been officially released.
Traffic Impact and Investigation
As of 1:30 p.m., US-35 remains closed in both directions in the vicinity of Main Street. Law enforcement has set up detours, but heavy traffic delays are being reported throughout the Chillicothe area as motorists are diverted onto local streets.
“The highway will remain closed for an extended period while our crash reconstruction teams document the scene,” an official noted.
The identities of those involved are being withheld pending notification of family members. Investigators are currently working to determine what caused one of the vehicles to cross the median or enter the opposing lane of travel.
