A passenger in one of the vehicles involved, Nicholas P. Niedbalski, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene.
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A 2006 Ford F-250 driven by Zachary A. Payton, 30, of Springfield, was traveling north on state Route 41, according to a press release from the patrol.
Payton reportedly took evasive action to avoid striking a vehicle in the rear, the patrol said, drove left of the center line and struck a southbound 2016 Honda CR-V driven by Danielle D. Dukes-Niedbalski 34, of Springfield.
Payton was taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening, and Dukes-Niedbalski suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
The crash closed state Route 41 for approximately three hours.
German Twp. police and fire/EMS officials also responded.
The crash remains under investigation, troopers said.
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