An accident in West Portsmouth early Thursday morning claimed the lives of a mother and her young son traveling on Ohio 73, south of mile post 21.

According to Ohio State Highway Patrol officers, a 1985 Ford Thunderbird driven by Tina Whitt, 34, of Portsmouth, was traveling northbound on Ohio 73 at about 10 a.m. when her vehicle swerved left of center and struck an oncoming tractor-trailer - a 2003 Freightliner driven by Mark Frazer, 40, of Ironton.

Whitt was driving with her 5-year old son, Deven. Both were pronounced dead on arrival. Frazer was transported to Southern Ohio Medical Center by Nile Squad No. 1 where a hospital spokesperson said he was treated and released.

The accident remains under investigation as OSHP troopers reconstruct the scene and examine evidence to determine such factors as speed and whether Whitt and her son were wearing safety belts at the time of the accident.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101 ext. 235.