LANCASTER, OH — An 11-year-old boy was rushed to Nationwide Children’s Hospital with serious injuries Monday afternoon after being struck by a vehicle at a busy Lancaster intersection.
The accident occurred at approximately 5:23 p.m. on March 30, 2026, at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and South George Street.
The Collision
According to the Lancaster Police Department crash report, a green bicycle ridden by an 11-year-old boy, was traveling southbound on South George Street. At the same time, a tan 2005 Buick Century, driven by Michael Edward Butterbaugh, 53, was heading eastbound on Lincoln Avenue.
The investigation determined that the young bicyclist attempted to cross Lincoln Avenue but failed to yield to the oncoming vehicle. The Buick struck the right side of the bicycle, causing the boy to be ejected from the bike.
Emergency Response
Lancaster Fire Department medics arrived on the scene within minutes. Due to the severity of the injuries, the 11-year-old was transported directly to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. His current condition has not been officially updated, though the report classifies the event as a “suspected serious injury.”
The driver of the Buick, Michael Butterbaugh, was not injured in the collision. Police noted that the road surface was dry and the weather was cloudy at the time of the incident.
Witnesses and Investigation
Several witnesses stopped to assist and provide statements to the police
Officer Ryan Walker led the investigation, which kept the roadway partially closed for nearly two and a half hours while the scene was cleared and mapped. No citations have been officially listed for the driver at this time, as the report indicates the bicyclist entered the path of the vehicle.
