18-year-old killed in head-on crash on state Route 72 near Cedarville

UPDATE @ 9 p.m.: An 18-year-old has died as a result of the crash Tuesday afternoon on state Route 72 south of Cedarville.

A 2015 Freightliner semitrailer driven by Ian R. Knisley, 27, was traveling south on SR 72 when the unit drifted off the right side of the road.

Knisley attempted to get back onto the road when the rig toppled onto its side, striking a 2014 Honda Civic, driven by Caitlin R. Preston, 18.

The Honda was forced off the right side of the road and into a ditch while the semi continued to slide down the road until it stopped.

Preston was pronounced dead at the scene. Knisley wasn’t injured. Both are from Springfield and were wearing their seat belts.

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Cedarville police and Cedarville Twp. Fire Department assisted at the crash that remains under investigation.

FIRST REPORT

Emergency crews have responded to reports of a serious, head-on crash involving a semitrailer on Ohio 72 south of Cedarville in Greene County.

The crash was reported on 72, just south of Turnbull Road about 3:05 p.m., according to initial reports.

Emergency scanner traffic indicates a CareFlight medical helicopter was requested to the scene but was cancelled.

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The conditions of the victims were not immediately known, but serious injuries were initially reported to at least one person, according to initial reports.

Ohio 72 has reportedly been shut down between Turnbull and Federal roads.

We’ll update this story as we learn more.