13-year-old Sky Lhamon was identified as the driver of the mini van that crashed head-on into a semi truck going the opposite direction. Lhamon is from Sidney and was a student in the Sidney City School District. This news organization has reached out to the district for comment and is awaiting a call back.
FIRST REPORT: 13-year-old was driver of mini van in Ohio 235 crash
2. Lhamon was in permanent custody of Shelby County Children’s Services
The Shelby County Department of Job and Family Services confirmed on Friday that the agency had permanent custody of the girl. At the time of the crash, she had been living with a foster mother for about two months. The agency said a reunification with Lhamon’s biological parents wasn’t possible -- so adoption was the only goal.
Children’s Services said there wasn’t an immediate crisis that led to the crash, but extended their condolences both to the family of Lhamon and the family of the semi truck driver, who sustained minor injuries.
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3. Girl had been reported missing
Lhamon’s foster mother had alerted Children’s Services that she and the foster mother’s van went missing around 8 p.m. on Thursday. According to a news release from the agency, law enforcement was notified and a report was made. The crash happened in Pike Twp., in Clark County close to 9 p.m.
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4. Ohio 235 was closed for hours
Ohio 235 was closed until 2:30 a.m. Friday. Crews were not only cleaning up wreckage from the accident, but also gas on the roadway. Lhamon collided with a semi truck that was carrying natural gas. HAZMAT crews were called to help clean up the spill.
5. Why would this happen?
Officials at Children’s Services didn’t have an answer for why the accident occurred. Dave Jenkins, Children’s Services Administrator with Shelby County JFS said Lhamon had experienced a lot of “pain, grief and loss in her 13 years,” most of which occurred before the agency became involved with her case.
Regardless, Jenkins said Lhamon was a good kid, who had an outgoing and engaging personality.
He said he also didn’t have an explanation for why Lhamon would be in Clark County or why she took her foster mother’s van.
Shelby County Children’s Services will be handling Lhamon’s funeral services. Details on those were not immediately available.