Serious injuries were reported as a result of a two-vehicle crash involving a law enforcement officer that occurred around 5:18 p.m., Sunday, March 3, in the area of U.S. Route 68 near County Road 57.
Heath Murphy, 44, Bellefontaine, was transported by MedFlight to Grant Medical Center with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries following the crash, troopers from the Marysville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol report.
Murphy was a passenger in a 2016 Ford Explorer driven by a 15-year-old minor that was reportedly traveling northbound on U.S. Route 68 when it was struck by a Logan County Sheriff’s Office deputy traveling northbound in emergency response.
Troopers report the teen driver was attempting a left turn onto westbound C.R. 57 when it was hit by the sheriff’s office SUV driven by Benny Stacey, 27, of Bellefontaine.
Deputy Stacey was northbound with lights and sirens activated and attempted to pass the driver on the left. This resulted in a collision between the deputy cruiser and the turning vehicle. Subsequently, the impact caused the 2016 Ford to veer off the left side of the road, overturning in the process. The LCSO cruiser also veered off-road and made additional contact with the overturned Ford before coming to a final stop.
MedFlight, Indian Lake EMS Joint Ambulance District, Huntsville Volunteer Fire Department & EMS, Wren’s Service Station, and Ace’s High Towing & Detail assisted at the scene.
The OSP’s media release did not provide information about possible pending traffic citations. The Examiner has requested additional information concerning the matter.
The roadway was closed for nearly four hours Sunday evening.
(EXAMINER PHOTOS | T.J. HUBBARD)
