Killbuck OH: Ronald E. Pappa, 44, Killed in Crash on State Route 241 After Attempting to Pass Tour Bus; Kevin A. Nussbaum Unhurt, Holmes County Sheriff’s Office Investigating

‘Gone in an Instant’: Killbuck Community Mourns Ronald E. Pappa, 44, Killed in Fatal No‑Passing Zone Crash on State Route 241

A Devastating Collision in Salt Creek Township

KILLBUCK, Ohio – In the quiet pre‑dawn hours of Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the rural roads of Holmes County became the scene of a tragedy that would send shockwaves through the small, tight‑knit community of Killbuck. At exactly 4:44 a.m., just south of County Road 235 on State Route 241 in Salt Creek Township, a two‑vehicle collision claimed the life of a 44‑year‑old man whose presence had touched countless lives.

Ronald E. Pappa, a longtime resident of the Killbuck area, was driving a 2000 Ford Excursion northbound when, according to the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, he attempted to pass a tour bus in a marked no‑passing zone near a hillcrest. As he pulled back into his lane of travel, he lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line, and was struck by a southbound 2007 Ram pickup truck.

The impact was violent. Both vehicles were thrown off the roadway and came to rest in a yard on the northwest side of State Route 241. Emergency crews from East Holmes EMS arrived within minutes, but despite their swift response and the subsequent efforts of medical staff at Pomerene Hospital, Ronald E. Pappa was pronounced dead by emergency room personnel.

The driver of the Ram pickup, 30‑year‑old Kevin A. Nussbaum of Apple Creek, was wearing his seatbelt and suffered no injuries. The tour bus, which was not involved in the actual collision, reportedly continued on its route after stopping briefly to provide a witness statement.

For nearly two hours, State Route 241 was closed as deputies from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office processed the scene, took measurements, and began what they described as a “thorough and methodical” investigation. That investigation remains active as of Thursday morning.

The Crash Sequence: A Risky Maneuver on a Dangerous Stretch

State Route 241 in Salt Creek Township is a two‑lane rural highway characterized by rolling hills, sharp curves, and limited sight distances. The section just south of County Road 235 is known locally as a trouble spot, with a history of passing‑related accidents.

According to the preliminary crash report from the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, Ronald Pappa was traveling northbound behind a tour bus. The bus, whose operator and company have not been publicly identified, was proceeding at a speed consistent with commercial vehicle regulations. At some point before the hillcrest, Pappa pulled into the southbound lane to overtake the bus.

The area is marked with solid double yellow lines—a clear indication that passing is prohibited due to limited visibility over the hillcrest. Investigators believe that as Pappa attempted to complete the pass and return to his lane, he either misjudged the distance to the crest or encountered an unexpected curve. The Ford Excursion began to fishtail, and Pappa lost control.

“When a large SUV like a Ford Excursion loses stability at highway speeds, it’s extremely difficult to recover,” said Mark Renner, a retired Ohio State Highway Patrol crash reconstruction expert not involved in the case. “The combination of a high center of gravity, a hillcrest, and an abrupt lane change can be lethal.”

As the Excursion crossed left of center, it was struck on the driver’s side by the oncoming Ram pickup driven by Kevin Nussbaum. Nussbaum, who was traveling southbound to his job at a manufacturing facility in Millersburg, had no time to swerve or brake significantly. The collision sent both vehicles careening off the pavement and into the yard of a nearby residence.

The homeowner, who asked not to be named, told local reporters that she was awakened by “a sound like a bomb going off.” When she looked outside, she saw wreckage scattered across her lawn and a man—later identified as Nussbaum—stumbling from his pickup, visibly shaken but physically unharmed.

“I ran out in my robe,” she said. “The Ford was just… crushed. I knew right away it was bad.”

The Victim: Ronald E. Pappa – A Life Remembered

Ronald E. Pappa was more than a name in a police report. To those who knew him in Killbuck, he was “Ronnie”—a steady, kind‑hearted man who loved fixing up old cars, coaching youth baseball, and never missing a chance to help a neighbor.

Born in Millersburg in 1982, Ronald grew up in Holmes County and attended West Holmes High School, where he played offensive lineman for the Knights. After graduating, he worked for several years at a local lumber mill before finding his niche as a heavy equipment operator for a construction company in Wooster. Friends say he could fix almost anything with an engine and was famous for showing up with his toolboxes whenever someone’s truck broke down.

“Ronnie was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back,” said longtime friend and fellow Killbuck resident Dwayne Miller. “If you needed a hand moving furniture, he was there. If your snowblower died, he’d be over with his. He never wanted anything in return.”

Ronald is survived by his parents, Carol and Edward Pappa of Killbuck; his younger sister, Melissa Pappa‑Hughes of Millersburg; and his two children, ages 12 and 9, from a previous marriage. Family members told local media that Ronald had been looking forward to taking his kids camping later this spring and had just bought a new tent.

“He lived for those kids,” said his sister Melissa. “Every weekend he had them, he made it an adventure. Hiking, fishing, building fires. He was the fun dad. And now they have to grow up without him.”

Ronald was also an avid supporter of the Killbuck Volunteer Fire Department’s annual fundraisers and rarely missed the town’s Fourth of July parade. “He loved this community,” said neighbor Ruth Ann Yoder. “And this community loved him back.”

Kevin A. Nussbaum: The Unhurt Driver Who Will Never Forget

While Kevin A. Nussbaum walked away from the crash without a scratch, the psychological toll has been profound. Nussbaum, 30, of Apple Creek, is a father of two and a machinist at a local fabrication shop. He was on his regular morning commute when Ronald’s Ford Excursion suddenly appeared in his lane.

“He’s not doing well,” said Nussbaum’s wife, Jessica, in a brief phone interview. “He keeps replaying it. He sees the headlights coming at him. He’s grateful to be alive, but he’s heartbroken for Mr. Pappa’s family.”

Nussbaum remained at the scene and spoke with deputies. No citations have been issued, and the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office has stated that Nussbaum is considered a witness, not a suspect. “He did everything right,” a spokesperson said. “He was wearing his seatbelt, he was driving the speed limit, and he had nowhere to go.”

The Nussbaum family has privately reached out to the Pappa family to offer condolences. A GoFundMe page set up for Ronald’s children had raised more than $8,000 within 12 hours of the crash, with Kevin Nussbaum’s name appearing among the donors.

Emergency Response: East Holmes EMS and Pomerene Hospital

The call came into Holmes County Dispatch at 4:45 a.m., just one minute after the crash. East Holmes EMS, stationed less than six miles away, was on the scene by 4:56 a.m. Paramedics found Ronald Pappa trapped inside the severely deformed Ford Excursion. Using hydraulic extrication tools, they worked for nearly 15 minutes to free him from the wreckage.

According to the incident report, Pappa was conscious and breathing when first removed, though he had sustained catastrophic internal injuries. He was stabilized and transported by ambulance to Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg, a critical access hospital known for its trauma team’s dedication.

Emergency room physicians and nurses worked on Ronald for over 40 minutes. Despite multiple transfusions, chest tube placement, and aggressive resuscitation efforts, his injuries proved unsurvivable. He was pronounced dead at 6:18 a.m. by Dr. Sarah Kolb, the attending emergency physician.

“Our team did everything humanly possible,” said Pomerene Hospital spokesperson Linda Mast. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Pappa family. This loss is felt by all of us.”

The Investigation: Holmes County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Answers

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office has taken the lead on the investigation, with assistance from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Crash Reconstruction Unit. As of Thursday morning, no charges have been filed, and investigators have not yet released a final cause.

Key areas of focus include:

· Sight distance over the hillcrest: Investigators are using laser measuring tools to determine how far ahead a northbound driver could see on the morning of April 22. Weather at the time was clear, with no fog or precipitation, but darkness may have played a role.
· Vehicle mechanical condition: The 2000 Ford Excursion is being inspected for any pre‑crash mechanical failures, such as brake or steering issues. The 2007 Ram pickup has been released to Nussbaum.
· Tour bus driver statement: The driver of the tour bus, which was not struck, stopped voluntarily and provided a witness account. That statement is part of the ongoing review.
· Seatbelt use and airbag deployment: Officials confirmed Ronald was wearing his seatbelt. The Excursion’s airbags did deploy, but the side‑impact collision overwhelmed the vehicle’s safety systems.

Sheriff Timothy W. Zimmerly issued a brief statement Wednesday afternoon: “This is a heartbreaking incident for our county. Our thoughts are with Mr. Pappa’s family, his children, and everyone who loved him. We will conduct a complete and transparent investigation, and we will share our findings as soon as we are able.”

Road Closure and Community Impact

State Route 241 was closed from County Road 235 to Township Road 608 for approximately one hour and 52 minutes. Detours were set up using back roads, many of which are gravel and unfamiliar to commuters. By 6:40 a.m., the wreckage had been cleared, and the road reopened.

For residents of Salt Creek Township, the closure was a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk on familiar roads. “I drive that stretch every day,” said local farmer Eli Troyer. “People pass on that hill all the time, even though you can’t see what’s coming. I’ve seen close calls. This time, someone didn’t make it.”

The crash has reignited discussions about improving safety on State Route 241, including possible rumble strips, enhanced signage, and increased patrols. A petition started by neighbors had gathered over 300 signatures by Thursday morning, calling on the Holmes County Engineer’s Office to study the corridor.

Mourning in Killbuck: A Community Pulls Together

Killbuck, Ohio, is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. With a population just over 800, it sits in the rolling hills of Holmes County, famous for its Amish country, antique shops, and quiet way of life. But on Wednesday, that quiet was shattered.

By noon, a small memorial had appeared at the crash site: flowers tied to a guardrail, a handmade cross, and a baseball cap with the words “Dad” stitched across the front. Later in the day, a group of Ronald’s coworkers from the construction site arrived to place orange safety cones around the spot.

“He was the first one to show up and the last one to leave,” said foreman Greg Stutzman. “He never complained. He made the job better just by being there.”

The Killbuck United Methodist Church opened its doors for an informal prayer vigil Wednesday evening. More than 150 people attended, filling the pews and spilling into the fellowship hall. Pastor David Lehman led the gathering, reading Psalm 23 and asking for strength for Ronald’s children.

“We don’t understand why these things happen,” Lehman said. “But we know that Ronnie is not defined by the last four seconds of his life. He is defined by 44 years of love, laughter, and service to others.”

Safety Lessons: The Deadly Risk of Passing in No‑Passing Zones

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, improper passing is a contributing factor in nearly 15% of all fatal rural highway crashes in the state. No‑passing zones are established specifically where sight distance is insufficient to safely complete a pass—most commonly on hillcrests, curves, and bridges.

“Drivers often underestimate the time and distance required to pass a large vehicle like a tour bus,” said Sgt. Brian Keller of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “A bus can be 40 feet long. To pass it safely, you need a clear line of sight for a quarter‑mile or more. On a hillcrest, you simply don’t have that.”

Experts also note that heavy SUVs and trucks are more prone to loss of control when swerving back into a lane, especially at speeds above 55 mph. The Ford Excursion, which weighs over 7,000 pounds, has a high rollover risk during abrupt maneuvers.

“This wasn’t recklessness in the sense of drunk driving or street racing,” Renner said. “It was a momentary lapse in judgment—a decision made in two seconds that had permanent consequences. And that’s what makes it so tragic. Ronnie wasn’t a bad person. He just made a bad choice at the worst possible moment.”

How to Help: Memorial Fund and Support for the Family

The Pappa family has asked for privacy as they grieve, but they have authorized the establishment of a memorial fund through the Killbuck Savings Bank. Donations can be made to the “Ronald E. Pappa Children’s Education Fund,” which will be used for the future schooling of his two young children.

In addition, a meal train has been organized by the Killbuck Community Church. Those wishing to provide meals or assistance can contact the church office.

A funeral service is scheduled for Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Killbuck United Methodist Church, followed by burial at Killbuck Cemetery. The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office has indicated that deputies will provide a ceremonial escort.

Final Thoughts: A Life, Not a Statistic

In the end, Ronald E. Pappa’s story is not simply about a crash on State Route 241. It is about a father who won’t get to teach his son to drive. A brother who won’t tease his sister at family barbecues. A neighbor who won’t show up with his toolbox. A community that will forever mark April 22 as a day of loss.

The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office continues its investigation. But for those who loved Ronald, the answers will never be enough. What remains is the memory of a man who lived fully, loved deeply, and left this world far too soon.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office at (330) 674-1936. The investigation remains ongoing.