Two killed, five hospitalized following head-on crash in Ashtabula County

ASHTABULA CO., Ohio - A horrific head-on crash on Father's Day has left two people dead and five people hospitalized. The crash happened around 12:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon on SR 84 just west of the Ashtabula city limit.

Investigators with the Ohio State Highway Patrol said a 2006 Chevrolet HHR was traveling eastbound on SR 84 when the driver crossed a double yellow line on a curve to pass another vehicle. A 1987 Chevrolet pick-up headed westbound then struck the HHR head-on.

An investigator with the Ashtabula County coroner's office told NewsChannel5 the driver of the pick-up truck, Benita Fusco, 56, died, as did a back seat passenger in the Chevrolet HHR, 46-year-old Abby Donathan, who was ejected.

Of the five people injured in the crash, a 4-year-old, Collin Brooks, and 2-year-old, Chloe Headley, were taken to Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. The other victims, HHR driver Samantha Starcher, 22, and her passenger, Corey Kidd, 23, plus a 4-year-old passenger in the pick-up truck, Gianna Nosse, are being treated at local hospitals for their injuries.

The 4-year-old was the only other passenger in the pick-up truck, and was the driver's granddaughter, according to the Ashtabula County coroner's office.

The Ohio State Highway patrol is investigating what caused the crash. OSHP said the two people who died were not wearing seatbelts.