By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MIDDLETOWN - A woman who was being pursued by state troopers after a hit-skip accident on Interstate 75 lost control of her car, crossed the median and crashed head-on into opposing traffic, seriously injuring two people Tuesday.

Robert Ewing, of Sterling Heights, Mich., and his wife, Maria, were flown to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton after Valerie Trimble's 1989 Chrysler LeBaron crossed the median south of Ohio 122 and struck their van about 11:20 a.m.

Robert Ewing, 55, was listed in critical condition Tuesday afternoon, and his 62-year-old wife was in serious condition, according to a hospital spokesman.

The crash occurred on a deadly stretch of Interstate 75 where safety barriers are being installed in the median. Posts were installed, but cable that would have kept Trimble's car out of southbound traffic was not yet attached in that area.

Trimble, 35, was listed in fair condition at Miami Valley on Tuesday afternoon. Charges are pending against her, state patrol officials said.

They said Trimble was traveling up to 90 mph and was being followed by patrol cruisers after she sideswiped a pickup on southbound Interstate 75.

Trimble left the interstate at Ohio 63, headed back onto the expressway northbound, then sped off, with troopers in pursuit. The LeBaron clipped another car while trying to change lanes, sending both vehicles into the median.

Trimble's car traveled into southbound lanes, striking the Ewings, who were then hit by a tractor-trailer. No one else was injured.

E-mail smclaughlin@enquirer.com