Teen Seriously Injured in Head-On Crash on State Route 29 in Champaign County

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle serious injury crash. The crash occurred earlier today, June 2, at approximately 8:15 a.m., near the intersection of State Route 29 and S. Ludlow Road in Salem Township, Champaign County.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2007 Chevrolet 3500 and trailer combination, operated by Shane Milledge, 18, New Carlisle, was traveling west on state Route 29. A 2013 Ford F-350, operated by John Rutherford Jr., 50, Urbana, was traveling east on state Route 29.

There was a westbound vehicle slowing to turn onto S. Ludlow Road from state Route 29. The Chevrolet swerved to avoid the vehicle slowing ahead and traveled left of center. After it traveled left of center, it struck the Ford head-on. After contact, the Ford and the Chevrolet’s detached trailer traveled off the south side of the roadway. The Chevrolet came to rest in the roadway. Both lanes of state Route 29 were temporarily closed during the crash investigation.

Milledge was transported by air ambulance to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center with serious life-threatening injuries. He is currently in stable condition.

Rutherford Jr. was transported by ground ambulance to Mercy Health – Urbana Hospital with minor injuries.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, Mechanicsburg Fire Department & EMS, Urbana Fire & EMS Division, MedFlight, Ohio Department of Transportation, Tops Towing & Garage, and Dan’s Towing & Recovery Ltd.