Smith's vehicle hit the median, bounced back into the highway and collided with a truck which disabled the SUV.
His passenger, Nicole Ellerholz, 34, of Rochester Hills, Mich., exited the vehicle to check the damage when a car driven by Mindy Malki, 39, of Piqua struck the Lincoln from behind, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
Ellerholz died from injuries sustained during the collision.
Careflight from Miami Valley Hospital took Smith from the scene and an ambulance took Malki to a hospital.
Emergency crews shut down the interstate at the scene, which was located just south of the Miami County line. Rescue squads from Tipp City and Vandalia responded to the crash.
Traffic was re-routed off I-75 at the Northwoods Blvd. interchange to County Road 25-A and back on to the Interstate at State Route 571 in Tipp City.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol asks anyone with information on the vehicle that entered from the shoulder to call (937) 832-4794.