Plymouth, OH (March 9, 2026) – A deadly four-vehicle crash was reported on Monday afternoon, March 9, in Huron County near the village of Plymouth.
The accident happened shortly before 1:30 p.m. on State Route 61 near mile marker 1. According to early reports, two vehicles were stopped in the northbound lane because of roadwork taking place in the area.
Investigators said a Ram 1500 pickup truck and a Toyota RAV4 were waiting in traffic due to the construction. A 2024 Hyundai Tucson approached the stopped vehicles slowly from behind. Moments later, a 2018 Ford F150 struck the rear of the Hyundai. The impact pushed the vehicles forward, causing the Toyota and Ram to also be hit in the chain-reaction crash.
The Hyundai driver, identified as 81-year-old Ruth Pridemore of Willard, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The driver of the Ram, a 55-year-old man from Shiloh, and the driver of the Toyota, a 35-year-old Perrysburg resident, were hurt in the crash. The Ford driver, a 50-year-old man from Crestline, also reported minor injuries.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available.
Our condolences go out to the victim’s loved ones.
Why Roadwork Zones Often Lead to Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Roadwork areas frequently cause traffic to slow or stop unexpectedly. Drivers approaching these zones may not immediately realize that vehicles ahead have already come to a halt, which increases the risk of rear-end collisions.
Chain-reaction crashes can happen when one vehicle strikes another from behind and pushes it into cars ahead. These incidents are more likely when traffic is dense or when drivers are following too closely.
Construction zones may also include lane shifts, temporary signs, or barriers that change normal driving patterns. Reduced speed limits and warning signs are usually placed in advance so drivers have time to adjust.
Keeping a larger following distance and staying alert to changing traffic conditions can help reduce the likelihood of multi-vehicle accidents in these areas.
