A Peebles teenager has died, a Hillsboro teenager suffered life-threatening injuries and another teen was also injured in an accident Saturday on S.R. 73 south of Hillsboro, according to the Wilmington Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
There were three teens were riding in a white 2014 Ford Focus when the vehicle hit a tree head-on and other things around 7:20 a.m. Saturday.
Briannika Tolle, 17, of Hillsboro, was driving the vehicle southeast on S.R. 73 near Berrysville Road when she failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle traveled off the right side of the road. The driver over corrected, the vehicle traveled off close to the left side of the road, was over corrected again, and then went back off the right side of the road where it struck a mailbox, went across a couple private driveways, and then they struck a tree head-on, the state patrol said.
Tolle suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
The left, rear passenger, Addison Howard, 15, of Peebles, was also flown by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton with life-threatening injuries. He died from his injuries two days later, according to the state patrol.
The other rear passenger, Riddick Rankin, 17, of Peebles, was transported by ground to Highland District Hospital in Hillsboro where he was treated for his injuries.
Wilmington State Highway Patrol Post Assistant Commander Michael Ross said excessive speed and alcohol appear to be factors in the crash, and that the car had significant damage.
The state patrol was assisted at the scene by the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, Miami Valley CareFlight, Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Reach John Hackley at 937-402-2571.
