A Hillsboro woman lost her life Thursday in a two-vehicle crash on SR 73 north of Hillsboro that closed the roadway for close to five hours.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Wilmington Post, Carolyn K. Andrews, 61, of Hillsboro, was traveling southeast on SR 73 in a 2011 Toyota four-door, while James R. Olesevsky, 69, of Waynesville, was traveling northeast on SR 73 in a 2014 Ford Econoline van.
Andrews traveled left of center and struck Olesevsky’s vehicle head-on on a straight stretch of road between Roundhead Road and Welcome Road, the state patrol said.
Andrews was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Highland County Coroner’s office.
Olesevsky was transported by Air Care to University Cincinnati Hospital with serious injuries.
Highland County Sheriff’s Office deputies on the scene said they had received a report of a reckless driver on SR 73 and were on the way to the scene when the accident took place.
Andrews was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash and alcohol appears to be a factor, the state patrol said.
The Ohio Department of Transportation sent an email at 7:55 p.m. saying that SR 73 was open after having been closed since the time of the accident.
Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Paint Creek Joint Fire/EMS District, Highland County Sheriff’s Ofice, Ohio State Highway Patrol Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit, and ODOT.
The crash remains under investigation.
Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.
