A head-on collision on Alton Darby Creek Road killed one driver and hospitalized another Wednesday, Aug. 26, according to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
The crash happened at approximately 4:26 p.m. A red 2005 Ford Escape traveling southbound appears to have crossed into the northbound lane and struck a red 2025 Chevrolet Silverado head-on, according to the sheriff's office. Each vehicle had only one occupant.
Prairie Township medics transported both drivers to Doctors West Hospital. Prairie Medic 241 carried the Escape driver, who arrived in critical condition. Hospital staff pronounced that driver dead at 5:37 p.m. Prairie Medic 242 transported the Silverado driver in stable condition.
Sheriff Dallas Baldwin's office said deputies responded alongside Prairie Township fire and medics. The sheriff's office has not released the names of either driver.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office posted a traffic alert on X Wednesday afternoon stating that Alton Darby Creek Road south of Feder Road was closed because of the crash. It was not clear Wednesday evening when the road would reopen.
The crash is the second fatal head-on collision in the Hilliard area in three weeks. A separate crash on Alkire Road on Aug. 6 killed a driver in a different incident involving different vehicles and victims. That investigation also remains open.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office Crash Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate Wednesday's crash. The cause of the Escape crossing the center line has not been officially determined.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Crash Investigation Unit at 614-525-6113.
