Patty A. Rohde, 66, of Washington Court House, was killed in a two-vehicle crash early Friday morning on Fayette County Road.
According to the Fayette County Sheriff, the crash occurred around 7:39 a.m. on US Route 22 Northwest near Jasper Township. Rohde’s vehicle slid onto the eastbound lane of US 22 NW and into the path of a 2014 dump truck driven by James M. Taylor.
The truck hit the passenger side of the vehicle and both the car and dump truck were forced off the south side of the street. Rohde was pronounced dead at the scene; Taylor did not suffer any injuries.
According to the Sheriffs office, inclement weather and road conditions are believed to have contributed to the crash, but they will continue to investigate the incident.
Just days ago, state officials urged Ohio residents to take preventative measures for their homes, vehicles and selves as arctic weather continues to blast through the state. Unfortunately, black ice is common during this time of year.
The biggest danger, and possibly the cause of this recent accident, is black ice. Black ice forms when the air is at 32 degrees or below at the surface, and rain is falling. The ice is camouflaged by the pavement, which makes it extremely difficult to spot.
The basic rule for driving on black ice is to stay calm and let the vehicle pass over the iced area. Avoid hitting the brakes and keep your steering wheel steady. Slowly lift your foot off the accelerator to slow your speed over the iced pavement. Never overcorrect your steering wheel in these situations as the car can spin out of control and lead to a crash.
If you or someone you love is injured in an accident caused by a driver who was careless in inclement weather, the victim may be eligible to file a claim for damages suffered. An auto accident lawyer may be able to help recover compensation for any property loss, damage or expenses relating to the recovery of injuries that may have been sustained in the collision.