A violent head-on crash on a familiar stretch of State Route 7 has left one local family grieving and another driver counting their blessings after what troopers describe as a sudden crossover that turned deadly in seconds.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Ironton-area release, the crash happened at about 3:39 p.m. on January 9, 2026, on State Route 7 near Township Road 1303 in Union Township, Lawrence County. Investigators say a white 2024 Jeep Compass driven by Robert L. Ramsey, 84, of Proctorville, was traveling eastbound when it went left of center and struck a westbound silver 2001 Toyota Camry head-on. The Camry was driven by David R. Stone, 60, of Chesapeake.
Ramsey was taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, troopers said.
The Patrol says the crash remains under investigation. Troopers noted assistance at the scene from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Lawrence County EMS, and the Proctorville Fire Department.
Other local reporting underscored the severity of the impact and the disruption it caused along the highway corridor between Proctorville and Chesapeake, with the roadway closed for an extended period while crews worked the scene and investigators documented evidence. A local fire department post also described heavy entrapment at the crash site, highlighting the intense rescue effort that followed the collision.
As the investigation continues, troopers have not yet released a cause beyond the initial finding that the Jeep crossed the center line. Officials have not announced whether impairment, a medical emergency, distraction, or road conditions were factors.
For families across the Tri-State, the crash is another grim reminder of how quickly an ordinary drive can turn into tragedy—especially on a high-speed, heavily traveled route like State Route 7.
