Dorinda Leigh Criddell Obituary, Death: 60-year-old woman killed in airborne SUV crash on I-70 identified.
Dorinda Leigh Criddell Obituary, Death – A tragic accident early Friday morning claimed the life of a 60-year-old woman after her SUV became airborne and landed in Mad River near Interstate 70 in Ohio. The victim, identified as Dorinda Leigh Criddell of Huber Heights, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) from the Springfield Post responded to the crash around 6:20 a.m., following reports of a vehicle accident on Interstate 70. The area in question was between State Route 235 and I-675, a stretch of highway commonly traveled by morning commuters.
Upon arrival, troopers conducted a search for the vehicle involved in the crash. After several minutes, they located the SUV in the Mad River, indicating that the vehicle had left the roadway and traveled a significant distance before coming to a stop in the water.
Initial findings from the investigation suggest that Criddell was driving a Toyota RAV4 heading eastbound on I-70 when, for reasons still unknown, her vehicle veered off the right side of the highway. According to Sergeant Brian May of the OSHP, the SUV appeared to have launched off the side of the road, gone airborne, and crashed into the river below.
Criddell sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was declared dead at the scene. No other vehicles appear to have been involved in the incident, and no other injuries were reported.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the crash in an effort to determine what may have caused Criddell to lose control of her vehicle. Investigators will likely examine a variety of factors, including road conditions, possible mechanical failure, medical issues, or driver distraction. At this time, officials have not released further details regarding contributing causes.
Weather conditions at the time of the crash, visibility on the highway, and the structural features of the area where the SUV went off-road will also be reviewed as part of the broader investigation. Authorities will attempt to reconstruct the final moments leading up to the crash to better understand how the vehicle managed to travel off the highway and land in the river.
The crash site, located near a wooded and sloping area between the interstate and the river, may have played a role in the SUV going airborne. It’s not yet clear whether the vehicle hit any barriers or embankments before becoming airborne, or if Criddell attempted to correct the vehicle’s path before it left the roadway.
Dorinda Criddell was a resident of Huber Heights, a city located northeast of Dayton. News of her death has saddened her community, as friends and family begin to mourn the unexpected loss. At this time, funeral arrangements have not been announced, and loved ones are waiting for more information about the incident from authorities.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol has not said when they expect the investigation to conclude. They are urging any potential witnesses or motorists who may have been in the area at the time of the crash to come forward with any information or dashcam footage that might shed light on the incident.
This crash highlights the importance of ongoing attention to safety and awareness on highways, especially in early morning hours when visibility can be limited and fatigue may affect drivers. The OSHP routinely reminds motorists to stay alert, wear seat belts, and avoid distractions while behind the wheel.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding how such a devastating accident could have occurred and whether any preventive measures can be taken to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
State and local authorities are working together to evaluate the crash site and determine if additional safety measures, such as guardrails or warning signs, may be needed in the area. While accidents of this nature are uncommon, each incident is an opportunity for safety officials to assess current infrastructure and driving conditions.
Meanwhile, the community remembers Dorinda Leigh Criddell not just as a victim of a tragic crash, but as a loved one whose life was suddenly cut short. Tributes and condolences have started to appear on social media, with friends and neighbors expressing their sorrow and support for her family.
The investigation into the deadly crash remains active, and further updates are expected in the coming days as more information becomes available. The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to lead the inquiry and will release findings once their review is complete.
