Victims in fatal Franklin crash have been identified

UPDATE@3:06 a.m. (Aug. 2):

The victims who died in Wednesday’s crash have been identified as Charles K. Gayheart, 57, of Franklin, and William D. Dickerson, 74, of Carlisle.

Evetta Dickerson, 71, who was a passenger in William D. Dickerson’s car. She suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by medical helicopter, according to the Lebanon post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

She was listed in serious condition at 3:15 a.m.

The accident occurred about 6:43 p.m. on Franklin-Trenton Road, at the intersection of Cobblestone Drive in Franklin Twp.

Gayheart was traveling east on Franklin-Trenton Road in a white 1990 Chevrolet Corvette convertible while  Dickerson was driving west in a blue 2011 Chevrolet Equinox SUV, the Highway Patrol said in a press release. Gayheart traveled left of center while negotiating a curve near the intersection with Cobblestone Drive, and was struck head-on by Dickerson’s vehicle, the release said.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene, the Highway Patrol said, noting that Gayheart was not wearing his seatbelt.

The crash remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call the Highway Patrol at 513-932-4444.

UPDATE @ 10:15 p.m.: The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate whether racing was involved in the head-on collision on Franklin-Trenton Road that left both drivers dead and a passenger injured, said Sgt. Jaques Illanz, Lebanon post, Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The preliminary investigation reveals the Chevy Corvette went left of center as it tried to negotiate a curve just before the intersection at Cobblestone Drive and struck the Chevy Equinox SUV.

A female passenger in the SUV was taken to a hospital by CareFlight, the sergeant said. Her condition is not known.

Investigators are still trying to determine whether speed was a factor, he said.

There were reports of a third vehicle, but the state patrol has not been able to confirm that, he said.

Illanz also said investigators are still working to confirm whether racing was involved. He said there have been crashes at the intersection, but he doesn’t recall any reports of racing on that stretch of Franklin-Trenton Road.

The patrol will release the names of the victims later tonight.

UPDATE @ 8:07 p.m.: 

At least two people now are dead in the apparent head-on collision in Franklin. Medical personnel have removed one person from each of the two vehicles involved.

A coroner’s investigator is on scene.

UPDATE @ 7:50 p.m.:

At least one person has been killed in a two-vehicle, apparent head-on collision on Franklin-Trenton Road in Franklin.

Witnesses are telling us there is one person in each vehicle, which appears to be a Chevy Traverse and a Chevy Corvette. Those same witnesses are telling us they believe racing was occurring at the time of the accident.

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We’re waiting for official word from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which is the investigating agency.

INITIAL REPORT

A vehicle accident with a reported entrapment has occurred in the 8800 block of Franklin-Trenton Road in Franklin and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating.

The accident was reported just before 7 p.m. and CareFlight has been requested.

Franklin-Trenton Road is shut down until further notice.

We have a crew on the way. We will update this developing report. Stay with whio.com for breaking news.

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