Tiffany Miller Killed in Truck Accident on I-71 in Jefferson Township, OH
Jefferson Township, OH — December 29, 2022, 40-year-old Tiffany Miller died in a collision with two semi-trucks on Interstate 71 in Greene County.
Authorities say the incident happened around 9:00 a.m. on the southbound interstate near mile marker 60. Preliminary investigation suggests 63-year-old Ralphinia Rose was driving a semi-truck south when for unknown reasons she allegedly rear-ended Miller's Honda Civic. The impact pushed the Honda into the back of a second big rig driven by 61-year-old Weldon Baisden.
Miller was pronounced dead at the scene. A juvenile passenger in Rose's truck was airlifted from the scene with non-life-threatening injuries. Rose and Baisden were treated and released at the scene.
The accident remains under investigation. No further information is currently available.
Preliminary reports say this crash began when a big rig rear-ended the victim's car for reasons not yet understood. Some may be quick to assume that means the truck driver is automatically at fault for the terrible injuries that followed, but it's rarely prudent to make assumptions.
Instead, careful investigation and clear evidence should tell the story. If something out of the striking driver's hands was behind the collision it wouldn't be fair to blame her, but if she really made a mistake that cost someone's life then clear evidence would likely be needed to make sure there's accountability for the damage done.
However, questions of fault may run a distant second to simply learning what really happened. Just having the whole story can make a great deal of difference to people hurt and confused by their loss, and they deserve no less. It remains to be seen whether police investigation alone will be enough to get it.
