A Hillsboro man was at fault in a Friday two-vehicle head-on crash in Clinton County that claimed the life of a Sabina man and left the Hillsboro man with serious injuries, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Wilmington Post.
In a separate incident, the OSP’s Chillicothe Post is investigating a Sunday crash that claimed the life of a South Salem man.
The first crash took place at approximately 4:41 p.m. Friday on SR 72 near milepost 12 in Clinton County.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Richard Steiner, 69, of Sabina, was operating a 2001 Chevrolet S-10 pickup northbound on SR 72. The driver of the other vehicle, Joshua McKinley, 27, of Hillsboro, was operating a 2016 Kia Sportage southbound on SR 72 when the two vehicles collided head-on, according to the state patrol.
Steiner was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Clinton County Coroner’s Office.
OSHP Sgt. Mike Ross said Monday afternoon that McKinley was found to be at fault for driving left of center. It is unknown at this time if he will face any charges, Ross said.
McKinley was transported by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital with serious injuries. Two juvenile occupants also inside the vehicle McKinley was driving were relayed to area hospitals for evaluations, the state patrol said.
SR 72 was closed during the initial investigation.
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton County Coroner’s Office, SRWW Joint Fire District 2 and the Ohio Department of Transportation assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
The second fatal crash took place around 10:52 a.m. Sunday on SR 41, near SR 28, in Ross County.
A compact car driven by 27-year-old Ethan J. Kerr, of South Salem, was traveling northbound on SR 41 in Ross County when Kerr’s vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a house, according to WKKJ 94 Country.
Kerr, a 2009 graduate of McClain High School in Greenfield, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Paint Township EMS and Fire responded to the scene.
Investigator Andrea Gray of the Ross County Coroner’s office also responded to the scene, the radio station reported.
