Ratliff, who grew up in Northridge but had lived with her mother and stepfather in Huber Heights for the last 10 years, was on her way to a doctor’s appointment when her minivan went off the road, struck an overpass and burst into flames Monday morning.
“This is just a terrible loss for our family,” said Robert Shirley, Ratliff’s stepfather. “We’re not sure how we’re going to take all this.”
Shirley said Ratliff loved to camp and fish, and was trying to make a positive change in her life.
“She was just trying to get out on her own,” he said, and was shuttling boxes back and forth to her new apartment on Upper Valley Pike in Springfield.
Cousin Brenda Nickell said Ratliff loved kids and her family had several visits Monday evening from kids and families she used to baby sit for.
Shirley said the everyone who knew Ratliff would miss her sense of humor.
“She loved to play practical jokes,” he said.
Investigators have not determined the cause of the crash. Shirley said the vehicle she was driving was 14 years old and could have had some sort of mechanical problem. Ratliff also suffered from asthma and other medical conditions that also could have contributed to the crash.
Highway Patrol. Sgt. Yvonne Thorne said it is not clear how fast the vehicle was moving when it crashed. The Clark County Coroner’s Office is investigating.
Staff Writers Matt Sanctis and Josh Sweigart contributed to this story.
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