ASHVILLE, Pickaway County, Ohio, Sept. 14, 2026 — One person died, and three others were hurt on Sunday evening, September 13, in a head-on crash on State Route 104 in Pickaway County, according to authorities.
The Pickaway County Sheriff's Office got a 911 call around 6:37 p.m. reporting a two-vehicle head-on collision on State Route 104 near Walker Road, just north of State Route 316. The South Bloomfield Police Department reached the scene first, with sheriff's deputies arriving shortly after.
Responding crews reportedly found a red 2017 Chevrolet Trax and a blue 2024 GMC truck involved in the head-on crash. Authorities said the Chevrolet was smoking and its occupants could not get out on their own, while the GMC driver was able to exit the vehicle unassisted.
Investigators said witness accounts indicate the Chevrolet had been traveling south in the northbound lane when it neared the GMC, which was headed north in the proper lane. The GMC driver reportedly swerved into the southbound lane to avoid a crash, and the Chevrolet then swerved back toward that same lane, resulting in the head-on impact, according to the sheriff's office.
Firefighters and paramedics extricated the Chevrolet's driver and two passengers. The driver, identified by authorities as 47-year-old Basil A. Southern of Columbus, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two passengers, identified as Anna M. Southern and Stephanie A. Foster, both of Columbus, were taken to hospitals in the Columbus area. The GMC's driver, identified as Amanda J. Howard, was hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted with the investigation, which the Pickaway County Sheriff's Office says remains open. The sheriff's office credited several local agencies, including area police and fire departments and the county coroner's office, for their help at the scene.
Our sympathies are with the family of the person who lost their life.
Head-on Crashes and What the Numbers Show
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,047 light-truck occupants were killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger car and a light truck in 2023. That figure reflects a common pattern in head-on crashes: when vehicles of different sizes and weights meet front-to-front, the occupants of the smaller or lower vehicle often suffer the worst outcome, even though both drivers experience the same impact speed.
Head-on crashes make up a small share of all collisions but a larger share of crash deaths, because closing speeds double when two vehicles meet traveling in opposite directions. A driver who drifts into an oncoming lane, whether due to a mechanical issue, distraction, or an evasive maneuver gone wrong, often leaves the oncoming driver only a second or two to react.
Two-lane rural highways, like many in Ohio, see these crashes occur at higher rates than on interstates, in part because there's no barrier separating opposing traffic, and drivers often move at higher speeds with less shoulder margin for correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a car drifts into my lane?
Slow down and move right toward the shoulder rather than swerving hard left, which can put you into the path of other traffic. Flash your headlights or honk your horn to alert the other driver, and brake as much as possible before impact.
What injuries are common in head-on crashes?
Chest, head, and leg injuries are frequent because occupants are thrown forward into the steering wheel, dashboard, or airbag with the combined speed of both vehicles. Fractures and internal injuries are common even at moderate speeds.
What typically causes head-on collisions?
Common factors include a driver crossing the centerline due to distraction, impairment, or fatigue, or attempting to avoid another hazard, as well as passing maneuvers that misjudge oncoming traffic.
What to Do After a Head-On Crash in Ashville, Ohio
If you're involved in a head-on crash, call 911 right away and stay as still as possible until emergency responders arrive, since injuries aren't always obvious right after impact. Even if you feel fine, get checked at a hospital or urgent care, because adrenaline can mask pain from internal injuries.
Take photos of the vehicles, the roadway, and any skid marks, if you're able to do so safely, and obtain contact information from any nearby witnesses. Follow up with the investigating agency for a copy of the crash report once it's available, and keep records of any medical care you receive in the days after the crash.
