PAINT TOWNSHIP, Highland County, Ohio, Sept. 30, 2026 — An 85-year-old man died after the horse-drawn carriage he was driving was rear-ended by a pickup truck on Monday evening, September 28, on State Route 138, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The carriage was headed southwest near Worley Mill Road around 6:45 p.m. when a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado traveling in the same direction struck it from behind. The carriage operator, identified by OSHP as Albert Keim, 85, was seriously hurt in the crash.
Keim was flown to UC Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the pickup, identified as 75-year-old Stanley Oiler, was treated for minor injuries.
The patrol said the crash remains under investigation. No further details, including possible charges or contributing factors, have been released.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
Where Rear-End Crashes With Slow-Moving Vehicles Concentrate
Rural two-lane highways, like those common in Highland County, carry a mix of speeds that many drivers don't anticipate. Cars moving at or near the posted limit can close the distance on a horse-drawn carriage, a farm implement, or a bicycle in just a few seconds, especially as daylight fades. Undivided roads without a shoulder or turn lane give following drivers little room to react or pass safely.
Stretches near unsignalled intersections or side roads, such as where a minor route meets a state highway, tend to produce more of these crashes because vehicles are entering, slowing, or turning without warning to traffic behind them. Dusk and early evening hours add another layer of risk, since visibility drops just as many slower, non-motorized road users are still out.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 2,442,581 people were injured in traffic crashes in 2023. Rear-end collisions remain one of the most common crash types on rural highways, where speed differences between vehicles go unnoticed until it's too late to stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a car accident?
Call 911, check for injuries, and stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives. If it's safe, move vehicles out of traffic and exchange information with anyone involved.
Where do most traffic crashes happen?
A large share occurs on two-lane rural highways and at intersections without traffic signals, where speed differences and limited sightlines leave drivers less time to react.
What injuries are most common in these crashes?
Rear-end and other vehicle crashes often cause whiplash, head and neck injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries, with severity rising sharply as speed increases.
What to Do After a Car Crash in Paint Township, OH
If you're involved in or witness a crash involving a slow-moving vehicle, call for emergency help right away and stay clear of traffic. Anyone injured, even mildly, should be checked by a medical professional, since some injuries aren't obvious right after impact. Cooperate with responding troopers and file any required reports promptly. For rural communities where horse-drawn carriages and farm vehicles regularly share the road with cars, giving extra following distance and slowing down in low-light hours can make the difference in avoiding a crash altogether.
