CLINTON COUNTY, Ohio – A fatal crash Monday afternoon in Vernon Township claimed the life of a Clarksville man after a head-on collision between two vehicles, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSP). The wreck happened around 2:20 p.m. on State Route 132 near its intersection with State Route 133, a two-lane stretch of roadway surrounded by farmland. The impact brought traffic to a halt and prompted a large emergency response.
Investigators said the crash involved a 1988 Chevrolet GMT400 pickup truck and a Ford F-650 commercial vehicle. According to preliminary findings, the Chevrolet was traveling northeast on State Route 132 when it crossed the center line for reasons that remain under review. The pickup collided head-on with the Ford truck, which had been headed in the opposite direction.
The collision left both vehicles severely damaged. The Chevrolet came to rest in the middle of the roadway, while the Ford veered off to the west shoulder. Emergency crews rushed to the scene and began life-saving efforts. The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as 45-year-old Kyle Hensley of Clarksville, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Clinton County Coroner’s Office.
Authorities confirmed that the occupants of the Ford—a driver and passenger—were not injured. Their names have not been released, but officials said they were evaluated at the scene and declined hospitalization. State troopers are continuing to investigate what caused the Chevrolet to drift left of center, examining factors such as road conditions, speed, distraction, impairment, or mechanical failure.
The crash led to an extended closure of State Route 132 near State Route 133 as crews worked to clear the wreckage and allow investigators to document the scene. Traffic was diverted for several hours before the roadway reopened. Along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Clinton-Warren Joint Fire District, Ohio Department of Transportation, and Clinton County Coroner’s Office all assisted at the scene.
Hensley’s death has shaken the Clarksville community, where friends and family are now mourning his sudden loss. At just 45, his life was cut short in a crash that underscores the dangers of head-on collisions, especially on rural two-lane highways with little margin for error. Troopers reminded drivers to stay alert and cautious, stressing that even a momentary lapse in attention can have deadly consequences. The investigation remains ongoing.