Hamden, OH : One dies in a crash on State Route 160 east of the Village of Hamden on Sunday afternoon, August 21, 2016

The Wellston community is mourning the loss of a 17-year-old teenager following a one-vehicle crash on State Route 160 Sunday afternoon.

At approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 21, emergency responders were dispatched to a call of a one vehicle crash on State Route 160 about two miles east of the Village of Hamden. The initial information indicated that there were likely injuries involved.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol report, Highway Patrol Troopers arrived on scene to find a black 2008 Suzuki off the right side of the roadway into an area of small trees and brush. The on-scene investigation revealed that the vehicle had previously traveled off the right side of the road, re-entered the road, then began sliding sideways going off the right side again, where it struck a mailbox on the driver’s side. The car continued down into the area of trees and brush, where it came to rest in an upright position.

Authorities are reporting that four individuals occupied the car. The passengers were 17-year-old Brittany Downard of Wellston, 17-year-old Anthony Webb of Jackson, and 16-year-old Kaylynn Harris of Wellston. Downard and Harris were taken to Holzer Medical Center of Jackson by Vinton County EMS for procedural reasons and possible injuries. Webb was uninjured and cleared for transport by his grandmother at the scene. The driver of the car was 17-year-old Lia Nicole Hart of Wellston. Hart sustained fatal injuries in the crash and passed away at the scene. The Vinton County Coroner was on scene as was the McWilliams Funeral Home of Wellston.

Responding to the scene were units from the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office and the Hamden Volunteer Fire Department. One lane of travel was maintained while the investigation was conducted. The Wellston Police Department’s chaplain assisted with family needs and support.

The crash remains under investigation by the Jackson Post of The Ohio State Highway Patrol. Seat belt usage has not been verified at this time, and there is no indication of impairment or unusual circumstances surrounding the crash.

Source :
One dies in Sunday afternoon crash on State Route 160