Plymouth man killed in head-on collision on U.S. 42 in Ashland County

Troopers said a 2011 Ford Explorer was northbound on U.S. 42 when it drove left of center and collided head-on with a 2015 Subaru Forester that was traveling southbound.

After the collision, the Subaru Forester traveled off the right side of the roadway into a ditch while the Ford Explorer became disabled on the roadway, troopers said.

The driver of the Subaru Forester, Joseph S. Meredith, 21, of West Salem, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken by ground transport to UH Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland.

The driver of the Ford Explorer, Emery J. Back, 53, of Plymouth, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at UH Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland, according to the patrol.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by Ashland Fire and EMS. U.S. 42 was closed for approximately 2 hours. Both parties involved in the crash were wearing their seatbelts. Drugs and alcohol are not considered to be factors in the crash.

The crash is under investigation, the patrol said.