“Our initial report was a semi-truck and trailer was stopped in the right lane of U.S. 35,” said Lt. Robert Hilderbrandt, commander of the OSHP’s Xenia Post. “Approximately within 10 minutes after the initial call, we got the call of a two-vehicle crash at the same location.”
Mark Cummings, 64, of Xenia, was driving a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu east on U.S. 35 when the car crashed into the back of a semi-truck stopped in the right lane of the highway, according to a press release. Cummings and his passenger, 65-year-old Karen Cummings, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Speed does not appear to be a factor in the crash, Hilderbrandt said.
The driver of the semi-truck, a 58-year-old man from Raleigh, North Carolina, was not injured.
Troopers are investigating what caused the semi to stop in the right lane.
“We’re questioning the driver, looking at the vehicle itself to see if there’s any mechanical issues with it,” Hilderbrandt said.
U.S. 35 east was closed until 11:30 a.m. between state routes 72 and 734 while crews investigated and cleared the scene.
The Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police Department, Ohio Department of Transportation, Silvercreek Twp. Fire Department, Cedarville Twp. Fire Department and New Jasper Twp. Fire Department also responded to the scene.
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