By Ben McLaughlin and Daniel Susco
Springfield News-Sun
SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio — One person died in an accident Monday afternoon when a minivan hit a medic unit from Springfield Twp. head-on and also struck another vehicle.
The crash happened about 2 p.m. in the 1900 block of South Burnett Road, prompting a large response from area first responders and closing the road for hours.
A person in the ambulance radioed for help after the accident near the Miami Valley Islamic Association of Springfield mosque.
All three vehicles were extensively damaged.
The highway patrol said, based on preliminary investigation, that a Springfield Twp. ambulance was driving northbound on South Burnett Road with its lights and sirens on.
As the ambulance neared the Rocket Avenue intersection, a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe traveling the opposite direction slowed down for the ambulance when a 2011 Toyota Sienna, driven by Eleni Whitt, 30, of Springfield, ran into the back of the Santa Fe, went left of center and crashed head-on into the ambulance, OSHP said.
“It appears the van crossed the center line into their lanes,” Springfield Twp. Deputy Fire Chief James Allen said.
Whitt was trapped in the vehicle and died. A representative of the Clark County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene.
CareFlight initially was placed on standby but was canceled a short time later.
Two people staffing the Springfield Twp. ambulance, Casey Flora, 28, of Enon and Amanda Stump, 42, of Springfield were transported to Springfield Regional Medical Center for treatment of their injuries. They were released later.
The third vehicle, a Hyundai Santa Fe, had two people inside who were treated at the scene for their injuries.
Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol were joined on scene by the Springfield Twp. Fire Department and EMS, Hustead Twp. Fire Department and EMS, Springfield Fire Department and EMS, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Clark County Coroner’s Office.
The ambulance likely will be totaled, Allen said. A backup unit will be put into service in the interim, he said.
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