Troopers Investigating Fatal Crash on US 42

• March 12, 2023

Montgomery Township – Troopers are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on US 42 near mile post 10 in Ashland County on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at approximately 2:27 P.M.

A 2011 Ford Explorer was traveling northbound on US 42 when it drove left of center and struck a 2015 Subaru Forester head-on that was traveling southbound. After the collision the Subaru Forester traveled off the right side of the roadway into a ditch while the Ford Explorer became disabled on the roadway.

The driver of the Subaru Forester, Joseph S. Meredith, 21 years old of West Salem, Ohio, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken by ground transport to UH Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland. The driver of the Ford Explorer, Emery J. Back, 53 years old of Plymouth, Ohio, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at UH Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the crash scene by Ashland Fire and EMS. US 42 was closed for approximately 2 hours. Both parties involved in the crash were wearing their seatbelts. Drugs and alcohol are not considered to be factors in the crash.

The crash is currently still under investigation.

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