A crash involving one vehicle claimed the life of a Linton woman on State Road 54 near County Road 230 North yesterday afternoon. Other drivers who witnessed the crash said they were almost hit by the vehicle that traveled off the roadway, hit a mailbox, ramped a driveway then crossed the highway and landed in a ditch.

Laura L. Kramer, 61, Linton, was the driver of a blue 2005 Ford Ranger when the crash occurred at 1:28 p.m. on Wednesday, October 6, on State Road 54 in the area of County Road 230 North.

Deputy James Carpenter of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department said Kramer was northbound on SR 54 when she drove off the east side of the highway for unknown reasons. Kramer’s vehicle hit a mailbox at 12600 West SR 54 and continued to travel north with the vehicle partially on the roadway. The vehicle then crossed SR 54 traveling westbound, ran off the road and hit a ditch.

The deputy’s observations on the scene were confirmed by statements made by three witnesses.

One witness, who was the caller who made the initial call to 911, said he was almost hit by Kramer’s vehicle and he saw her vehicle go into the ditch.

Another witness said he was southbound on SR 54 when he was almost hit by Kramer’s vehicle. He said her vehicle ramped a driveway and went airborne, then bounced back onto SR 54, went across the highway and into the ditch.

The third witness was southbound on SR 54 when he was almost hit by Kramer’s vehicle. He said he saw the vehicle travel across the highway and into the ditch.

Following the crash, the witnesses did not go down into the ditch due to safety reasons.

Deputy Carpenter reported no evidence that Kramer applied the brakes when the vehicle went off the east side of SR 54 or when the vehicle went across SR 54. Deputy Carpenter also reported Kramer was not wearing a seatbelt.

In addition to the sheriff’s department, personnel from the Linton Fire Department and Recovery Towing assisted on the scene.