OHIO — A 23-year-old man was killed Sunday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Route 33 in Fairfield County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred just before 1 p.m. near mile marker 23 in Berne Township.
Troopers said both vehicles—a 1999 Ford Ranger and a 2022 Mazda truck—were traveling eastbound when the driver of the Mazda failed to maintain a safe following distance and struck the Ford from behind.
The impact forced the Ford Ranger off the right side of the road, where it hit a traffic signpost and overturned.
The driver of the Ford, identified as Austin Mathias, of Ashville, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 21-year-old driver of the Mazda was taken to Fairfield Medical Center for evaluation and later released.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
