HIGHLAND COUNTY, Ohio — September 3, 2026

A woman was killed and two other people, including a 2-year-old child, were injured Wednesday morning after a horse and buggy was struck from behind by a vehicle on a highway in Highland County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The deadly crash happened shortly after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday on U.S. Route 50 near Route 753 in Paint Township, authorities said.

According to investigators, a GMC Sonoma was traveling along the highway when it struck the horse and buggy from behind. The buggy was traveling southwest on Route 50 at the time of the collision.

The impact resulted in the death of the woman operating the buggy, identified by authorities as 49-year-old Melinda Coblentz of Greenfield.

Woman Dies at the Scene

Coblentz was operating the horse and buggy when the crash occurred. Emergency crews responded to the scene, but she suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the location of the crash.

The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation as authorities work to determine exactly what led to the vehicle striking the buggy.

Officials have not yet released additional details about the moments immediately before the crash.

Toddler and Teen Passenger Transported to Hospital

Two passengers were also inside the buggy when it was struck.

They were identified as 17-year-old Barbara Coblentz and 2-year-old Mirian Miller, both of Greenfield.

Although neither passenger was believed to have suffered serious injuries, both were transported by air to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.

The presence of a toddler in the buggy has added to the concern surrounding the crash, although authorities said the child was not seriously injured.

Officials have not released further information about the passengers’ medical conditions.

Driver of GMC Sonoma Not Injured

Continued on the  next page