ASHLAND – A 37-year-old Sullivan man was killed early Monday morning in an accident on Ohio 58, south of Township Road 350.
According to the Ashland Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ernest Whitesel was northbound on Ohio 58 in a 2009 Dodge Avenger at 5:21 a.m. A 2011 Mini Cooper driven by Ashland resident Raymond Stafford, 47, was alson northbound on Ohio 58 and attempted to pass Whitesel’s vehicle.
During the pass, the two vehicles collided and Stafford’s Mini Cooper lost control and traveled off the west side of Ohio 58, and then came back onto the roadway. Whitesel’s Dodge also lost control during the collision and traveled off the east side of the roadway. It then struck a ditch, rolled several times and came to final rest on its top in a field. Whitesel was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from his vehicle.
Stafford was not injured in the crash. Whitesel was transported to Akron General’s Lodi Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan Fire Department, Polk-Jackson Fire Department assisted on scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
