Troopers from the Chillicothe Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating a tragic pedestrian crash that claimed the life of a Chillicothe woman early Saturday morning.
The incident occurred on May 16, 2026, on U.S. 35 near mile marker 3 in Concord Township, Ross County.
According to state troopers, the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Jackson Communication Center initially received a report at approximately 8:27 a.m. regarding an object along the side of the highway. When units arrived, they discovered a fatal vehicle-versus-pedestrian crash had occurred.
Investigators determined that a 2021 Kia K5, driven by 28-year-old Paitaan White of Chillicothe, was traveling northwest on U.S. 35 when it struck a pedestrian who was walking in the roadway.
The pedestrian was identified as 45-year-old Jolayne C. Blake of Chillicothe. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. Her body was later transported to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office by Haller Funeral Home.
The driver was not injured in the crash.
Authorities closed the scene as troopers conducted an on-site investigation, documented evidence, and worked to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision. The roadway was reopened after the investigation at the scene was completed.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including all possible contributing factors.
