CHILLICOTHE, OH – A tragic two-vehicle crash on U.S. Route 23 in Ross County claimed the life of a young driver and seriously injured another Tuesday evening.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol , the collision occurred at approximately 5:59 p.m. on August 5, 2025 , near the intersection of U.S. 23 and Alma Omega Road in Franklin Township .

Authorities say 18-year-old Drezden Bolin-Hitchens of Waverly was driving a 2020 GMC Terrain southeast on U.S. 23 when he crossed the center line and struck a 2016 Nissan NV2500 head-on. The Nissan was being driven by Joseph Brandt , 18, of Columbus .

Bolin-Hitchens was pronounced dead at the scene . Brandt suffered serious injuries and was transported by Huntington Township EMS to Adena Regional Medical Center .

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