Wooster Woman Killed in Head-On Crash on State Route 83
Franklin Township, Wayne County — A Monday morning crash on State Route 83 claimed the life of a Wooster woman and sent another driver to the hospital, according to the Wooster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Troopers were dispatched at 7:50 a.m. on January 5, 2026, to a reported two-vehicle head-on crash on State Route 83 just south of Tolbert Road in Franklin Township.
The preliminary investigation determined that a tan 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, traveling southbound on SR 83, was reportedly attempting to pass multiple vehicles in a marked hazardous no-passing zone. At the same time, a gray 2024 Nissan Sentra was traveling northbound. Despite both drivers braking, the Malibu crossed into the northbound lane and struck the Sentra head-on.
Following the impact, the Malibu traveled off the east side of the roadway and came to rest in a ditch. The Sentra rotated and came to rest in the northbound lane.
The driver of the Malibu, Kathryn E. Gluth, 43, of Wooster, was wearing a seat belt but succumbed to her injuries as a result of the crash. The driver of the Sentra, Korben D. G. Warren, 21, also of Wooster, was seat-belted and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported by Wooster Township EMS to Wooster Community Hospital for treatment.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Wooster Township Fire and EMS, Rigz Towing, the Wayne County Coroner’s Office, and the Ohio Department of Transportation. State Route 83 was closed for approximately two hours while crews worked the scene and investigators conducted their work.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash. The incident remains under investigation.
