Killbuck, Ohio — Ronald E. Pappa, 44, is being remembered after a deadly crash that happened early Wednesday morning on State Route 241 in Salt Creek Township. The incident occurred near County Road 235 and has left the Killbuck community in deep grief. Loved ones are struggling to accept how quickly everything changed.
The crash happened around 4:44 a.m. according to the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office. Ronald was driving a 2000 Ford Excursion northbound when the collision took place. The early morning road was quiet, but the moment turned tragic in seconds.
Investigators said Ronald tried to pass a tour bus in a marked no-passing zone near a hillcrest. As he moved back into his lane, he reportedly lost control of the vehicle. His SUV crossed left of center and entered the path of oncoming traffic.
A 2007 Ram pickup truck, driven southbound by Kevin A. Nussbaum, 30, of Apple Creek, struck Ronald’s vehicle. The impact forced both vehicles off the roadway and into a yard on the northwest side of the road. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time.
Emergency crews arrived quickly and rushed Ronald to Pomerene Hospital through East Holmes EMS. Medical staff worked to save him, but he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The news brought immediate shock to the community.
Kevin A. Nussbaum was not injured in the crash. Authorities confirmed that he remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators as they worked to understand what happened.
The roadway was closed for nearly two hours while deputies documented evidence and cleared the scene. Officials say the investigation is still ongoing as they piece together the full sequence of events leading to the crash.
For the people of Killbuck, this loss cuts deep. Ronald E. Pappa is not just a name in a report. He is a life that mattered to family, friends, and neighbors. The community now holds onto memories while trying to process a morning that turned into heartbreak.
