Liberty Township, OH : One person was killed and three others injured Monday morning in a crash on U.S. 62 near Johnstown on July 14, 2014

A Mount Vernon woman was killed Monday morning in a multivehicle crash that sent three other people to a Columbus hospital.

A Chevrolet HHR driven by 49-year-old Raynell Sparks, of Mount Vernon, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 62 at 7:47 a.m. when the car went left of center and hit a Chevrolet Cobalt head-on. Sgt. Russell Pasqualetti, of the Ohio Highway Patrol, described the impact between the two vehicles as heavy.

The HHR came to rest in the westbound lanes while the Cobalt, which was driven by 47-year-old Matthew Sisley of Gambier, went off the north side of the roadway, according to a news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Once the vehicles came to rest, a Ford Escape driven by 60-year-old Lisa Williamson, of Mount Vernon, struck the HHR in the rear and went off the north side of the road, stopping near the Cobalt.

Sparks was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was not immediately known what caused Sparks to go left of center. After speaking with several witnesses, Pasqualetti said, investigators don’t think speed was a factor, and it was not raining at the time of the crash.

Three other people were taken to Grant Medical Center in Columbus by ambulance — Sisley and his brother Brian Sisley, 44, of Gambier, and Williamson.

Helicopters were originally called to the scene but were unable to respond because of weather.

Pasqualetti said injuries to the others involved were “serious.” One or more of the injured people were trapped and had to be cut out, he said.

All four people involved were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

The road reopened after being closed for about 90 minutes.

Members from the crash reconstruction team were on scene making field sketches as part of the investigation, Pasqualetti said. Other services from the patrol were called in as well.

Monday’s crash is the 11th fatal one to occur in Licking County so far this year. Remarking on the number of fatal crashes in the area, Pasqualletti encouraged residents to drive safely.

“Pay attention to what you’re doing,” he said. “I don’t know if this was distracted driving; it kind of seems like it to me, at this point. Watch the road, maintain your hands on the wheel, and maintain a reasonable speed for the road conditions.”

The crash remains under investigation.

Source :
Mount Vernon woman dies in multivehicle crash on U.S. 62