A Hillsboro man was killed in a fiery crash early Friday morning on SR 138, about one-half of a mile northeast of the intersection of Mad River Road.
The deceased was identified Friday afternoon as Robert D. Newkirk, 55, of Hillsboro.
According to the Wilmington Ohio State Highway Patrol Post, emergency personnel from the Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District arrived at the scene shortly after 8:30 a.m. and found a 2016 Dodge Charger that Newkirk was driving fully engulfed in flames.
Wilmington State Patrol Post Commander Lt. Stan Jordan told The Times-Gazette the cause of the fatal crash was unknown.
“From what we can tell so far, the car was northbound on 138, and went off the road and went through a front yard, then ramped and nosed in to the creek on the other side and burst into flames,” Jordan said.
He said troopers are unsure as to the circumstances that led up to crash.
“We’re still trying to determine what caused the driver to go off the road and we may never know that for sure,” Jordan said. “For all we know, the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel.”
Dr. James McKown of the Highland County Coroner’s Office said that the body would be taken to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.
Reach Tim Colliver at 937-402-2571.
