One critical, two more injured after crash involving juveniles in Ellsworth Township

Three people are injured, with one being in critical condition, following a crash in Ellsworth Township Wednesday morning.

The crash happened at the intersection of State Route 45 and Palmyra Road and involved a pickup truck and a van. The van appears to have struck a utility pole and was seen in a ditch at the scene.

"Every time I hear a siren, a crash, brakes, whatever, it's very alarming;' what am I going to come to when I get down there?" said Fred Shrock, whose property meets the intersection and has been a reluctant witness to many crashes.

Ellsworth Township Fire Chief Ted Smith tells 21 News the crash involved one adult and two juveniles. Two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries, and one was said to be in critical condition.  It is unclear whether or not one of the juveniles was driving the car or if either of the juveniles is the one in critical condition.

Fire crews from Ellsworth Township, as well as Canfield and Berlin Township, responded to the scene.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

"It seems that so many of the accidents down here are caused by human error where they actually stop or they just don't pay attention," the Ellsworth Township resident said.

The intersection itself also presents some challenges for drivers, particularly those traveling east and west along Palmyra Road, having to gauge the speed of drivers heading north and south on SR 45 at speeds of 55 mph or more. There have been 26 crashes in the last five years.

"We want to really focus on making sure that the intersection is clear and, once you decide to go, to get through the intersection," Sergeant Ashley Jackson with the Ohio State Highway Patrol explained.

The Ohio Department of Transportation works with local law enforcement to analyze crash data.

From there our crews can evaluate to see what potential safety upgrades are possible," said Ray Marsch, who is the PIO for ODOT District 4.

Meanwhile, Schrock, who would be relieved to see some safety improvements at the intersection, mentioned the idea of a roundabout.

"In this particular case, the person was coming from the south and broadsided the vehicle that went across the intersection. That would not happen with a roundabout," he stated.

ODOT says it's an option the department would evaluate.