Wooster, Ohio – With profound sadness and heavy hearts, the Wooster community mourns the tragic loss of Kathryn E. Gluth, a 43-year-old woman whose life was cut short in a devastating head-on crash on the morning of Monday, January 5, 2026. Her passing has left family, friends, and neighbors grappling with grief and the painful reality of a life taken far too soon.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Wooster Post, troopers responded at approximately 7:50 a.m. to a report of a two-vehicle crash on State Route 83, just south of Tolbert Road in Franklin Township, Wayne County. Investigators determined that a tan 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, driven southbound by Kathryn, was reportedly attempting to pass multiple vehicles in a clearly marked hazardous no-passing zone. At the same time, a gray 2024 Nissan Sentra was traveling northbound.
Despite both drivers attempting to brake, the Malibu crossed into the northbound lane and struck the Sentra head-on. Following the impact, the Malibu traveled off the east side of the roadway and came to rest in a ditch, while the Sentra rotated and stopped in the northbound lane. The force of the collision brought a quiet winter morning to a tragic standstill.
Kathryn Gluth, who was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. The driver of the Nissan Sentra, Korben D. G. Warren, 21, also of Wooster, was seat-belted and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported by Wooster Township EMS to Wooster Community Hospital for treatment.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Wooster Township Fire and EMS, Rigz Towing, the Wayne County Coroner’s Office, and the Ohio Department of Transportation. State Route 83 remained closed for approximately two hours as emergency crews worked and investigators documented the scene. Authorities have stated that alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be contributing factors, and the crash remains under investigation.
Beyond the details of the crash, Kathryn E. Gluth will be remembered as a person—not a statistic. She was someone’s loved one, a familiar face in her community, and a woman whose life held meaning, relationships, and memories that will endure long after this tragic day. Her loss leaves an irreplaceable void for those who knew and loved her.
This tragedy serves as a solemn reminder of how quickly lives can change on our roadways and the importance of caution, patience, and safety behind the wheel. In moments like these, the community comes together in mourning, reflection, and support for all those affected.
May Kathryn E. Gluth rest in eternal peace. May her family and friends find strength in one another, comfort in cherished memories, and healing in time. Though her life ended far too soon, her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
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