Drivers in Champaign County crash identified; 1 in critical condition

UPDATE @ 8:50 p.m. (Dec. 14):

Drivers have been identified for the Thursday morning crash on Runkle and St. Paris-Jackson roads in St. Paris.

At around 9:05 a.m. Thursday, Ruth Helms, 67, of St. Paris, was traveling westbound on Runkle Road in a Chevy Impala, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol. Helms reportedly ran a stop sign at the intersection of Runkle and St. Paris Jackson roads.

Joseph Reneer, 34, of St. Paris, traveling southbound on St. Paris-Jackson Road in Chevy Silverado, struck the Impala in the intersection, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

Helms was transported via CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital. She is in critical condition, according to hospital officials. She was not wearing her seat belt.

Reneer was transported to Upper Valley Medical Center. He is no longer listed as a patient, according to hospital officials.

The crash is still under investigation, according to OSP.

FIRST REPORT:

CareFlight was requested for a driver involved in a two-vehicle crash with entrapment Thursday morning in St. Paris.

The female driver reportedly ran a stop sign on Runkle and St. Paris-Jackson roads around 9:25 a.m. and was T-boned by a pickup truck, according to law enforcement on scene.

Crews freed the driver, and she was flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. Her condition is unknown.

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