JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A serious crash involving two commercial semi-trucks closed eastbound U.S. 35 in Ross County late Tuesday night and sent one driver by medical helicopter to a Columbus hospital.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported the incident occurred around 11:01 p.m. on February 10, 2026, near milepost 34 on eastbound U.S. 35, close to Vigo Road in Jefferson Township. The location lies in southern Ohio’s Ross County, just outside Chillicothe and near Richmond Dale.
According to the patrol, a 2026 Freightliner semi-truck driven by Ronoldo Baccas, 26, of Jamaica, New York, was traveling southeast when it veered off the right side of the roadway. The driver overcorrected, causing the truck to overturn, strike two road signs, and come to rest in the middle of the eastbound lanes.
Moments later, a 2025 Volvo semi-truck driven by Jason Keith, 49, of Lancaster, Ohio, struck the overturned Freightliner. The Volvo then left the left side of the roadway, hit a guardrail, and collided with a bridge pillar.
Baccas was airlifted by MedFlight to Grant Medical Center in Columbus and listed in stable condition. Keith sustained minor injuries and was transported by Jefferson Township EMS to Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe.
Eastbound U.S. 35 was closed at Vigo Road for several hours. The Ohio Department of Transportation established a detour and remained on scene. The highway patrol, Ross County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson Township Fire and EMS, and ODOT all responded.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash. No further details on the cause have been released.
This incident highlights ongoing traffic safety concerns along U.S. 35 in Ross County and surrounding southern Ohio communities. Drivers in the region, including those traveling through adjacent counties, are urged to use caution in the area and check OHGO or local traffic alerts for updates.
