Harrison Township, Ohio — A Pickaway County sheriff’s deputy sustained serious injuries early on New Year’s Eve when his parked patrol vehicle was struck by a sliding car during a snowstorm on U.S. Route 23.
The incident occurred around 6:27 a.m. on December 31, 2025, in Harrison Township, according to an Ohio State Highway Patrol crash report.
Deputy Corey A. Hamlin, 54, was investigating a prior traffic crash on US-23 when his 2018 black Ford Explorer police SUV was parked on the shoulder of southbound US-23 with emergency lights activated. A southbound 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, driven by 58-year-old Javier Mendoza of Blacklick, Ohio, was traveling in the right lane at approximately 50 mph. The driver attempted to change lanes but lost control on the partially ice- and snow-covered roadway.
The Chevrolet veered off the right side of the road, striking the deputy’s SUV twice. The impact pushed the patrol vehicle into a guardrail.
Deputy Hamlin was transported by Harrison Township EMS to Berger Hospital in Circleville for initial treatment. He was later transferred to Grant Medical Center in Columbus with suspected serious neck injuries. Hamlin is expected to make a full recovery, but will take time to recover.
Mendoza was not reported to have apparent injuries in the report. He was cited for operating a vehicle without reasonable control.
Weather conditions at the time included snow, with icy road surfaces contributing to the crash. The area was dark, and the roadway unlit. These conditions contributed to several crashes in the area, and created a level 2 snow emergency placed on the county by Sheriff Hafey.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated the secondary crash, which highlights the dangers first responders face while working hazardous weather-related incidents.
