MARION COUNTY — A 19-year-old Caledonia woman was ejected from her vehicle and died Friday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash that also involved a Galion driver.
Troopers from the Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to the crash at 5:28 p.m. on Ohio 309 near milepost 21 in Claridon Township.
Troopers said the crash involved:
— a black 2012 Hyundai Elantra driven by 19 -year-old Eva J. Moran of Caledonia;
— a white 2013 GMC Acadia driven by 19-year-old Nathaniel R. Blankenship of Marion;
— and a black 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 23-year-old Dalila Zamudio of Galion.
A preliminary investigation, according to troopers, indicated that Moran was eastbound on Ohio 309. Blankenship was stopped, facing eastbound, on Ohio 309 while waiting to make a left turn into a private driveway. Zamudio was westbound on Ohio 309.
Troopers said Moran failed to maintain assured clear distance ahead and her vehicle struck the left rear of the GMC Acadia.
Moran traveled left of the centerline into the westbound lane and was struck by the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which then traveled off the north side of Ohio 309.
Moran was ejected from her vehicle, troopers said. She was taken from the scene by Marion Township EMS to Marion General Hospital, where was later pronounced dead.
Blankenship sustained possible injuries and was treated at the scene, according to the patrol. Zamudio had minor injuries and was taken by a private party to Marion General Hospital.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the First Consolidated Fire Department, Marion Township EMS, Fort Morrow EMS, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, B&B Towing, Precision Towing, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
The crash remains under investigation, troopers said.
