North Ridgeville woman dies after Sept. 26 crash on I-77 in Tuscarawas County

A woman injured in a Sept. 26 crash on Interstate 77 in Tuscarawas County has died from her injuries, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The New Philadelphia Post of the patrol reported that Naoma E. McKinney, 81, of North Ridgeville, was pronounced dead Oct. 7 at Mercy Hospital by the Stark County Coroner’s Office.

The crash happened Sept. 26 around 11:15 a.m. on I-77 southbound near mile post 71 in Jefferson Township. Troopers said a 2014 Kia Sorento driven by Leonard O. McKinney Jr., 80, of North Ridgeville, traveled off the left side of the road and struck an embankment in the median before returning to the roadway and overturning. The vehicle then went off the right side of the highway and struck a guardrail.

Both Leonard and Naoma McKinney were taken by Smith Ambulance to Mercy Medical Center. Troopers said Leonard McKinney was wearing a seat belt, while Naoma McKinney was not. Leonard McKinney told investigators he had fallen asleep while driving.

The Stonecreek Fire Department, Smith Ambulance and Keith’s Towing assisted at the scene.