VERMILLION TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A devastating three-vehicle crash early Friday morning on U.S. Route 30 has claimed the lives of two men and left others injured, authorities said. The collision occurred at the intersection of U.S. 30 and State Route 511, leaving the community reeling from the tragedy.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Ashland Post, the crash happened around 6:00 a.m. A 2015 Dodge Dart, traveling northbound on SR 511, failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with a 2024 Peterbilt semi-truck traveling eastbound on U.S. 30. The initial impact caused the semi-truck to veer off the roadway, cross the median, and enter the westbound lanes, striking a 2020 Ford Transit van.
The driver of the Dodge Dart, 23-year-old Malachi James Harley John Whitehead of Wooster, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Ford Transit van, 61-year-old David L. Kuhns, also of Wooster, died at the scene. Both men’s deaths have left families and the community mourning the sudden and tragic loss of life.
The driver of the semi-truck, 24-year-old Mac A. Johnston of South Pasadena, Florida, was transported to UH Samaritan Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A juvenile passenger in the Ford Transit van was airlifted to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital with serious injuries. Officials confirmed that all occupants involved were wearing safety belts at the time of the crash. Authorities do not suspect alcohol or drugs contributed to the incident.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County EMA, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ashland Fire & EMS, Hayesville Fire & EMS, Life-Flight, the Ashland County Coroner’s Office, and Aber’s Towing. Troopers said the crash scene required significant coordination to ensure safety and provide care for the injured. The investigation remains active, with authorities reviewing evidence, roadway conditions, and eyewitness accounts to determine the full sequence of events.
This tragic accident underscores the importance of caution at intersections and strict adherence to traffic signals. Troopers are urging drivers to remain attentive and follow road signs to prevent similar tragedies. As the community mourns the loss of Whitehead and Kuhns, support is being extended to the injured and their families while investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the deadly collision.
