The following is a press release from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office:
Two children were rescued from a burning vehicle late Friday night following a crash at the intersection of State Route 4 and Hawk Road. On March 13, 2026, at approximately 11:50 p.m., deputies from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to an injury crash with reports that the vehicle was on fire. Deputy Walter arrived first and reported that two children were trapped inside the vehicle. Deputy B. Ramsey arrived shortly after and observed flames coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle had come to rest on a hill behind a fence. Deputies attempted to open the rear door but were unsuccessful. Deputy Ramsey then broke the rear window and entered the vehicle area while using a fire extinguisher to slow the spreading flames. The child was secured in a car seat, and deputies used rescue shears to cut the harness. With assistance from Medic Thad Davis, the child was freed and removed through the window moments before the fire spread into the passenger compartment. The male child was airlifted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the female child was transported by EMS to the same hospital for evaluation. After the rescue, deputies made contact with the driver, identified as Anthony Blankenship, who showed signs of alcohol consumption. The Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to the scene and took Blankenship into custody for Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI). A dog that remained in the vehicle could not be rescued after the fire rapidly engulfed the interior. Both deputies sustained minor smoke inhalation, and Deputy Walter received a minor burn during the rescue. The crash remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
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Two infant children were rescued from a burning vehicle late Friday night after a crash in Champaign County.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash happened just before midnight Friday on State Route 4 near Hawk Road.
Troopers responded to the scene along with deputies from the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies were the first to arrive and discovered two infant children trapped inside a burning vehicle.
Authorities say the deputies immediately acted and were able to remove the infants moments before the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames.
Both children were transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for treatment.
The preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle was traveling southbound on State Route 4 when it drifted off the right side of the roadway, struck a utility pole and an embankment, and then caught fire.
The driver sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Troopers say the driver was arrested and charged with Operating a Vehicle Impaired (OVI).
State Route 4 was closed for approximately two hours while crews investigated the crash and removed the vehicle.
The roadway has since reopened.
The crash remains under investigation.
