Athens County, OH (August 3, 2025) – A devastating crash involving a marked Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) cruiser resulted in the deaths of two people Saturday afternoon along US-50 near Fisher Rd. The accident occurred around 2:00 p.m. as a trooper attempted to respond to a traffic violation.
According to the OSHP, the incident began when the trooper witnessed a traffic infraction on US-50 and began attempting to catch up to the violator. During that pursuit, a westbound Toyota sedan tried to cross the eastbound lanes to turn onto Fisher Rd. In doing so, the sedan collided with the approaching cruiser.
Both occupants of the Toyota—identified as 82-year-old John Horton and 72-year-old Le-Ann Horton, residents of Albany—were tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The trooper driving the OSHP vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Marietta Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The crash caused significant traffic disruptions in the area as emergency crews responded and investigators began examining the scene. US-50 was partially shut down for several hours as officials worked to clear the wreckage and collect evidence.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the Horton family and all those affected by this tragic incident.
Fatal Crashes and Emergency Response Risk in Ohio
Collisions involving law enforcement vehicles often occur under dynamic and urgent conditions. In this case, the OSHP trooper was actively responding to a traffic violation—a scenario that can elevate risks for nearby drivers and officers alike.
US-50 is a primary highway in Athens County and frequently sees a mix of local and through traffic. Intersections like Fisher Rd can become particularly hazardous when high-speed travel intersects with crossing or turning movements.
Unfortunately, aging drivers are often at increased risk in traffic maneuvers that involve crossing multilane highways, particularly when assessing approaching speeds becomes difficult. This crash underscores the challenges of ensuring safety while navigating or responding to traffic situations.
Accidents resulting in fatalities are thoroughly investigated by authorities. Data collected at the scene, including vehicle speed, impact angles, and witness accounts, will be used to determine the sequence of events and whether additional safety measures are warranted.
If you or someone you know has been affected by a serious crash, reach out to Local Accident Reports for guidance and support.
