Eva Moran Dies in 3-Vehicle Crash on Ohio 309

Eva Moran, 19, of Caledonia, died Friday afternoon after a three-vehicle crash on Ohio 309 in Claridon Township. Troopers said she was ejected from her black 2012 Hyundai Elantra before being taken to Marion General Hospital.

The Marion Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded at 5:28 p.m. near milepost 21. The crash involved two other drivers, 19-year-old Nathaniel R. Blankenship of Marion and 23-year-old Dalila Zamudio of Galion.

Ohio 309 At Milepost 21

Troopers said Moran was eastbound on Ohio 309 when her vehicle struck the left rear of Blankenship’s white 2013 GMC Acadia, which was stopped and facing eastbound while he waited to turn left into a private driveway. Moran then traveled left of the centerline into the westbound lane, where Zamudio’s black 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee struck her vehicle.

The Jeep then went off the north side of Ohio 309. Marion Township EMS took Moran to Marion General Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.

Blankenship And Zamudio

Blankenship sustained possible injuries and was treated at the scene. Zamudio had minor injuries and was taken by a private party to Marion General Hospital.

The crash drew help from the First Consolidated Fire Department, Marion Township EMS, Fort Morrow EMS, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, B&B Towing, Precision Towing and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Marion County Investigation

Troopers said the crash remains under investigation. For drivers using Ohio 309 in Claridon Township, the immediate consequence is not a broader traffic change in the facts provided, but a collision site that now sits under a formal crash investigation after one driver’s death and injuries to two others.