Road Conditions Blamed For Fatal Franklin County Accident

An 88-year-old woman died Sunday morning following a two-vehicle crash that is believed to be related to icy conditions in Franklin County.

The crash occurred on Bath Road, approximately ¼ mile west of Harmony Road around 8:40 a.m.

Marion Ponder, of Bath, was traveling west when authorities say she lose control of her 2000 Dodge Intrepid on the icy roadway.

She went off the south side of the roadway, overcorrected and caused her vehicle to spin on the ice into the path of an oncoming vehicle, police said.

The driver of the second vehicle, 43-year-old Jeffrey Coffey, of West College Corner told police he observed the out of control vehicle and attempted to stop his 2000 GMC Sierrra, however was unable to due to road conditions. His vehicle made direct impact on the driver’s side of Ponder’s car.

Ponder was pronounced dead at the scene by the Franklin County Coroner.

Coffey was transported to McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital for his injuries by Franklin County E.M.S.

The crash remains under investigation.