PICKAWAY TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A late-night collision on Kingston-Adelphi Road left one driver hospitalized and another facing traffic charges after a driver stopped to avoid hitting crossing cats.
The crash occurred on Monday, July 13, 2026, at approximately 11:29 PM in Pickaway Township, according to the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
The Incident
Deputies report that Payton Elizabeth Sue Tatman, 25, of Reynoldsburg, was driving eastbound on Kingston-Adelphi Road in a white 2015 Kia Forte when she brought her vehicle to a stop in the roadway to avoid striking several cats that had begun crossing.
Renee Michelle Gibson-Mallory, 21, of Chillicothe, who was traveling behind Tatman in a red 2025 Ford Escape, failed to maintain an assured clear distance. Gibson-Mallory’s Ford struck the rear of Tatman’s Kia.
Gibson-Mallory later confirmed to responding deputies that she did see the cats leaving the roadway immediately following the impact.
Response and Road Closure
Pickaway County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Cathel arrived on the scene at 11:38 PM.
- Injuries and Transport: Tatman sustained suspected minor injuries in the crash. She was treated at the scene and transported by Green Township EMS to Adena medical facility. Gibson-Mallory was uninjured.
- Vehicle Damage: Tatman’s Kia suffered disabling rear-end damage and had to be towed from the scene by Scioto Valley. Gibson-Mallory’s Ford sustained functional front-end damage but was not towed.
- Road Impact: The crash forced emergency responders to close Kingston-Adelphi Road for 83 minutes while the scene was cleared. The roadway was fully reopened by 1:11 AM on Tuesday morning.
Charges Filed
Gibson-Mallory was cited by deputies for failing to maintain Assured Clear Distance Ahead (ACDA), under Ohio Revised Code section 4511.21A. Neither driver was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
