PICKAWAY COUNTY, Ohio — A Greenfield woman was injured late Friday night after swerving to avoid an animal and crashing into a ditch in Wayne Township, according to the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
The single-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 11:26 p.m. on July 31 along State Route 138 near Kinderhook Road.
According to the sheriff’s crash report, Eryka Maree Cottrell, 34, of Greenfield, was driving a 2010 Honda Civic westbound on State Route 138 when an animal ran into the roadway. In an effort to avoid striking it, Cottrell swerved left, causing her vehicle to leave the roadway and enter the ditch on the south side of the road.
The vehicle sustained disabling damage and came to rest facing north after the impact.
Cottrell suffered injuries in the crash and was transported by WADES EMS to Berger Hospital for treatment.
The crash occurred under clear weather conditions on a dry roadway, although the area was not illuminated by streetlights.
According to the report, deputies cited Cottrell with Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (OVI) under Ohio Revised Code 4511.19(A)(1). The report indicates deputies suspected both alcohol and marijuana impairment. Drug and alcohol testing was administered as part of the investigation, though results were not listed in the crash report.
Deputy Josiah Bever of the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office investigated the crash. The scene was cleared shortly before 1:45 a.m.
The incident remains under investigation.
