A fatal crash in Highland County on Friday night left one woman dead and three others injured after a collision at the intersection of State Route 73 and Prospect Road in Washington Township, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 6:20 p.m. when a 2011 Ford Focus, driven by 54-year-old Freddie A. Merrick of Peebles, reportedly failed to stop at a stop sign while traveling westbound on Prospect Road. The Ford collided with a 2013 Chevrolet Impala driven by 45-year-old Tamara Frazer of Hillsboro, who was heading south on State Route 73.
Frazer was airlifted by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Merrick sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to UC Medical Center via Air Evac for emergency treatment.
Two passengers in Merrick’s vehicle, both from Peebles, were also injured. One passenger suffered serious injuries, while the other sustained minor injuries. Both were taken to Highland District Hospital for medical care.
According to troopers, Merrick was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, whereas Frazer was properly restrained. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.
Authorities have not yet disclosed any further details about the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to review evidence to determine contributing factors to the tragic accident.
The incident marks another reminder of the dangers at rural intersections and the importance of road safety.
