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Vermillion Township - On Friday, February 13th, 2026, at approximately 6:00 AM, troopers from the Ashland Highway Patrol Post were dispatched to a serious injury crash involving 3 vehicles on US 30 and SR 511.
A 2015 Dodge Dart was northbound on SR 511, a 2024 Peterbilt Semi-Truck & trailer were eastbound on US 30 approaching SR 511 and a 2020 Ford Transit van was westbound on US 30 also approaching SR 511. The Dodge Dart failed to stop at the stop sign on SR 511 at the intersection of US 30 and was struck by the Peterbilt Semi-Truck. After the collision, the Peterbilt Semi-Truck went off of the left side of the roadway across the median and into the westbound lanes of US 30. The Peterbilt Semi-Truck then struck the Ford Transit Van who was westbound on US 30. The Peterbilt Semi-Truck and the Ford Transit Van came to a final rest off of the north side of US 30.
The driver of the Dodge Dart, Malachi James Harley John Whitehead, age 23 of Wooster, Ohio was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Ford Transit Van, David L. Kuhns, age 61 of Wooster, Ohio was also pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Peterbilt Semi-Truck, Mac A. Johnston, age 24 of South Pasadena, Florida was transported by EMS to UH Samaritan Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A juvenile passenger from the Ford Transit Van was life-flighted to Ohio Health Mansfield Hospital with serious injuries.
All occupants involved in the crash were wearing their safety belts at the time of the crash. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected as factors in this crash. The crash is currently still under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, The Ohio Department of Transportation, Ashland County EMA, Ashland Fire & EMS, Hayesville Fire & EMS, Life-Flight, Ashland County Coroner, & Aber’s Towing.