(Dearborn County, IN) – Two Southwest Ohio residents lost their lives and three others were hurt in a head-on crash that happened around 3:30 Sunday morning on U.S. 52 near State Road 46 in northern Dearborn County.
Indiana State Police say a 2020 Honda Civic driven by 22-year-old Kelis Manuel of Fairfield, Ohio, was westbound on U.S. 52 in a no-passing zone, when she tried to go around a 2006 Dodge Ram pulling a utility trailer.
Manuel’s car collided head-on with an eastbound 2021 Volvo Semi pulling a box trailer driven by 49-year-old Jimmy Davis of Cincinnati.
Davis’ semi came to rest in the middle of U.S. 52, while Manuel’s car left the south side of the roadway and came to rest.
Davis was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Manuel and an unidentified back seat passenger in her vehicle were taken to Cincinnati area hospitals for treatment of life-threatening injuries.
A front seat passenger in Kelis Manuel’s car, identified as 21-year-old Kimora Manuel, and a rear seat passenger, 22-year-old Le’Marea Holmes – both from Cincinnati – were pronounced dead at the scene by the Dearborn County Coroner’s Office.
Troopers say alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, and that toxicology tests are pending.
Heavy rain in the area at the time may have also been a contributing factor.
The crash remains under investigation.
