Franklin Township, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred Friday afternoon, August 15, 2025, at the intersection of State Route 13 and State Route 96 West in Franklin Township.
The crash happened around 1:57 p.m. and involved three vehicles: a 2025 Chrysler Voyager minivan, a 2005 Kenworth T-800 dump truck, and a 2019 Chevrolet Blazer.
According to investigators, 81-year-old James Massie of Gahanna was driving the Chrysler eastbound on State Route 96 when he attempted to turn left onto State Route 13. At that moment, a northbound Kenworth dump truck struck the passenger side of the Chrysler, continued through the intersection, hit a guardrail, and overturned.
The driver of the Kenworth, whose name has not yet been released pending notification by the Richland County Coroner’s Office, was partially ejected from the vehicle and died from injuries sustained in the crash.
Mr. Massie was transported by Franklin Township EMS to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital for treatment. The driver of the Chevrolet Blazer, 26-year-old Amber Boyd of Mansfield, was not injured. She brought her vehicle to a stop north of the overturned truck and sustained only minor damage.
The Ohio Department of Transportation temporarily closed the intersection following the crash but has since reopened the roadway.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Richland County Coroner’s Office, ODOT, Franklin Township Fire and EMS, and Ronk’s Towing.
Authorities say the crash remains under investigation.
The staff of Appleseed News extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the driver who lost their life in this tragic accident.
News Release Mansfield Department of Police 30 North Diamond Street, Mansfield Ohio 44902 (419) 755-9724
Mansfield Police Department
Jason Bammann, Chief of Police For Immediate Release
Date: April 17, 2024 Number: 15 Subject: Fatal Crash
The Mansfield Division of Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred earlier today at 17:37 PM, at the intersection of S. Main Street and W. 1st St. The crash involved a 2016 Freightliner Tractor with attached trailer which was traveling southbound on S. Main St and a single male operating a bicycle which was traveling eastbound on W 1st St. Preliminary investigation indicates the bicycle traveled through a red light and into the path of the tractor trailer which then struck the bicycle and its operator. The operator of the bicycle, a 29 year-old male, was transported to a local hospital by the Mansfield Fire Department where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the tractor trailer, a 48 year-old male, suffered no injuries but was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. A Crash Reconstructionist from the Mansfield Police Traffic Section responded on scene, assisted by the Mansfield Police Department’s Un-manned Aerial System (UAS/DRONE) and the Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Additional information may be released at a later date. We ask that anyone with information related to the crash contact Sgt. Lumadue of the Mansfield Police Department Traffic Section at 419-755-9738.
Holmes County Sheriff Timothy Zimmerly reports that a Morrow County man remains in custody this morning in the Richland County Jail after being captured following an extensive organized search yesterday afternoon that spanned both Holmes, and Ashland Counties. The man hunt began in Morrow County and extended into Richland and Knox Counties as the day progressed.
Joshua Boucher age 43 of Morrow County, was finally captured and arrested without incident by numerous law enforcement officers at around 1:53 p.m. yesterday afternoon. Boucher was found hiding in a crawl space of an unoccupied summer home that he had entered just off Township Road 457, in Washington Twp. The general location of Boucher whereabouts was confirmed by a K9 track to the residence. After Boucher was in custody he was turned over to Ashland County Deputies who initiated the initial pursuit. Boucher was identified as a suspect of a shooting that occurred earlier Monday morning in Morrow County.
Holmes County Deputies were notified by Ashland County that they and the Highway Patrol were in pursuit of Boucher at around Noon yesterday afternoon. The pursuit was heading towards Loudonville and may end up in Holmes County. The pursuit left State Route 60 just North of Loudonville and came into Holmes County on Township RD 458 near Township RD 457. Boucher lead pursuing officers to a storage facility just off State Route 3 near the Village of Loudonville before bailing from the vehicle and continued to flee on foot. A perimeter was quickly established, and the area secured by the numerous law enforcement agencies already on the scene.
Sheriff Zimmerly wishes to thank all those who called and assisted deputies with this investigation and locating the whereabouts of this individual.
Deputies were assisted by the Loudonville Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers, SRT, and Aviation, MEDWAY Agents, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Loudonville EMS.
This investigation is continuing.
Ashland County Sherriff Press Release
The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office responded to an injury accident in the 2000 block of Sr 89.
While officers were responding to a crash, a white male that was involved in the crash stole a vehicle of a witness to the crash and left the scene traveling southbound on Sr 89. Deputies and other law enforcement agencies began searching for the stolen vehicle. A short time later the vehicle was spotted in the 2500 block of Sr. 60 traveling southbound.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and the vehicle continued to flee from law enforcement. The stolen vehicle came to rest after crashing behind the H and H custom homes. The driver fled on foot into a wooded area, and drone teams were activated.
It was discovered during the incident that the male was running from law enforcement, because he was involved in a shooting in Morrow County. The male was located and taken into custody in the basement of a vacant residence on Tr. 457 at the Ashland and Holmes County line.
Assistance from the Ashland Police Department, Ohio State Patrol, Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Loudonville Police Department, ODNR Rangers, Loudonville and Perrysville Fire Department.
The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend our appreciation to all agencies involved in the apprehension of the suspect, Joshua Boucher.
Timothy W. Zimmerly, Sheriff
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Springfield Twp Fire responded to an MVA accident at SR 314 and Millsboro Rd. For a report of 2 commercial semis had collided head on. The drivers of both vehicles were transported by ambulance to medical facilities. 1 of the trucks is a propane tanker that ended up on its side. The 2nd truck was transporting non hazardous liquid waste.
The intersection of OH-314 and Millsboro West Rd will be closed temperarily for accident investigation and clean up. ODOT was called to set up a detour route.
Franklin Fire Weller Twp and The Ohio State Patrol responded to a single vehicle accident. A grey/silver 4 door sedan left the roadway and struck a power pole, snapping the pole leaving wires and part of the pole blocking the road way on N. Olivesburg Rd near Pinttinger Rd. The vehicle sustained heavy damage, causing the air bags to deploy. The driver was injured. He was alert and walking/moving around on his own.
