Emergency crews were called around 9:40 p.m. to the intersection of Olive and Little Richmond roads, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
The patrol’s preliminary investigation revealed that a 2017 Chevrolet Cruze driven by Antonion Ward, 19, of Dayton, was southbound on Olive Road, failed to yield for a red signal at the intersection of Little Richmond Road and struck an eastbound 2007 Mazda CX-9 driven by Leah Smith, 35, also of Dayton.
“As a result, both vehicles incurred significant damage and traveled off the roadway,” the patrol reported.
Smith was killed in the crash, the patrol said. A 3-year-old passenger in her vehicle was secured in a child safety seat and was taken to Dayton Children’s Hospital with minor injuries.
Ward was taken to Miami Valley Hospital with suspected serious injuries, the patrol said.
The Chevrolet Cruze had two additional passengers, both 18-year-olds, who were pronounced deceased at the scene. They were identified as Elgin Wilson IV, of Dayton, and Michael Stephens of Trotwood, the patrol said in a release.
Alcohol and drugs were not found to be a factor in the crash, the release said.
The crash remains under investigation.
The investigation “once completed, will be forwarded to the appropriate prosecutor’s office for review and determination of charges,” the release said.
The Trotwood Fire/EMS, Trotwood Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office assisted the patrol at the scene.
In a 9-1-1 call obtained by the Dayton Daily News, witnesses said the crash was huge.
“The crash was right in the middle of the intersection,” said a woman walking her dog who called 911 about the crash. “There’s people in the street screaming.”
“You could hear it. I’m four houses down and you could hear it,” the caller said.
Dozens of people expressed heartache over the tragedy Thursday. Trotwood Athletic Director Frank Russo said Stephens was a part of the Trotwood championship football team and a 2020 graduate of the school. He was set to play at Ohio Dominican this fall.
“Everybody loved ‘Big Mike,‘” Russo said. “He had an upbeat attitude and a beautiful spirit about him. He was always an individual that came across caring about his teammates, his community, his coaches, and was a true leader in every sense of the word.”
He said Stephens was polite and respectful.
“He was instrumental in our program success, and he was a leader on and off the field, the coaches would look to him to lead. He was always one who was motivating the guys on the team to keep their heads up,” Russo said.
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