UPDATE: One man dead following crash on Route 60

UPDATE 5/14/2020 1:27 P.M.

A Marietta man has died following a three car crash on Ohio State Route 60 in Washington County.

It happened around noon on Wednesday.

According to a news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Marietta Post, 69-year-old William Howe Jr. died from injuries suffered in the crash.

The Patrol says Howe was driving on north near Devola when his Honda CRV rear-ended the Dodge Ram truck of 35-year-old Joshua Francis.

Howe’s vehicle then went into the opposite lane and hit and another truck driven by 44-year-old Denise Cross.

Howe was thrown from his vehicle.

He was taken to Marietta Memorial Hospital later flown to Grant Hospital in Columbus where he died.

Cross was also taken to Marietta Memorial for what are described as minor injuries.

Francis was not seriously injured.

The Ohio Department of Transportation briefly closed one lane of traffic after the crash.

The Devola Volunteer Fire Department and EMS, and the Marietta Fire Department squad also responded to the crash.

UPDATE 5/13/20 6:40 P.M.

A Marietta man was airlifted to a Columbus Hospital Wednesday afternoon following a three-vehicle crash that briefly closed a section of State Route 60 in Washington County, authorities said.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, William Fred Van Howe Jr., 69, was driving north near Mill Gate Road in Muskingum Township when his vehicle hit the rear of another vehicle and went into oncoming traffic. His vehicle then collided with another vehicle that had been headed south.

Troopers said Van Howe Jr. was ejected from his vehicle. He was taken by ambulance to Marietta Memorial Hospital and then flown to Grant Medical Center in Columbus, where authorities said he was listed in critical condition.

The driver of the southbound vehicle was taken to Marietta Memorial Hospital with minor injuries, authorities said.

Firefighters and ambulances from Devola and Marietta responded to the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol.

We will have updates online and during WTAP News as new information becomes available.

ORIGINAL STORY: 05/13/2020 2:45 P.M.

There is currently a crash on southbound SR 60 near Mill Gate Road in Muskingum Township (Washington County). The southbound lane is closed.

Motorists should use caution and expect delays through this area. WTAP will continue to update the situation as additional information becomes available.