It was before dawn when a terrible single-vehicle crash on Interstate 71 in Turtlecreek Township ended the life of 23-year-old Charles Watkins of La Fayette, Georgia. Just after 4 a.m. Saturday, a northbound 2023 Honda CR-V veered off the left side of the road near the Morrow-Lebanon exit and flipped multiple times, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Troopers say the SUV left the pavement for reasons still unknown and rolled violently along the shoulder and into the grass. The force of the rollover was so great that Watkins was ejected from the vehicle and thrown into the southbound lanes of I-71. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
Watkins was the only occupant in the Honda and, authorities confirmed, was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Law enforcement officials emphasize that ejection from a vehicle dramatically increases the risk of fatal injuries, especially during high-speed rollovers.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, along with the Warren County Coroner’s Office, Turtle Creek Fire Department and EMS, and a local towing service. Investigators worked to clear debris, document the wreckage and reopen the affected lanes.
Traffic on the interstate was slowed for hours as crews ensured the roadway was safe. The crash occurred in the quiet early morning hours when visibility is limited and many drivers are still waking up.
At this time, detectives have not determined what caused the vehicle to leave the roadway. It remains unclear whether speed, weather conditions, driver fatigue or any impairment played a role. The OSHP says the investigation is ongoing and could take days to complete.
Friends and family remembered Watkins as a young man with his whole life ahead of him. His sudden death has left loved ones grappling with grief and a community reminding everyone about the importance of seat belt safety on long highway drives.
