CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — A Circleville man accused of causing a February crash that killed a Mt. Sterling woman has been found competent to stand trial on charges stemming from the fatal collision.
John F. Hill, 60, of Circleville, faces charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs of abuse, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Hill was indicted by a Pickaway County Grand Jury in July following an investigation into the February 27 crash.
Fatal February Crash
The charges stem from a crash that occurred on the morning of February 27, 2026, at 2611 Walnut Creek Pike in Circleville.
According to the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office, Hill was driving a 2025 Nissan Sentra southbound on Walnut Creek Pike when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway.
The Nissan traveled through two yards before entering a driveway, where it struck a parked 2022 Chevrolet Equinox.
Standing in the driveway at the time were 52-year-old Laura J. Hammond of Mt. Sterling and a young child.
According to investigators, Hammond saw the vehicle heading toward them and pushed the child out of the vehicle’s path just before the crash.
Hammond was then struck by the Nissan and pinned between the two vehicles.
Emergency crews transported Hammond to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus, where she later died from her injuries.
The child was transported to OhioHealth Berger Hospital with minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
Hill was also transported to Berger Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the crash.
Indictment and Arrest
The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office announced in July that detectives arrested Hill after a grand jury returned the two-count indictment.
Hill was being held in the Pickaway County Jail on a $100,000 bond following his arrest.
The aggravated vehicular homicide charge alleges that Hill’s operation of the vehicle resulted in Hammond’s death, while the OVI charge alleges he was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Competency Finding
Hill has now been found competent to stand trial, allowing the criminal case to proceed in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court on 11-2-26.
The competency determination addresses whether a defendant is legally able to understand the proceedings and assist in their defense. It does not determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the charges.
The case remains pending in court.
The original investigation was assisted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Pickaway County Engineer’s Office, Pickaway Township, Circleville, Harrison Township and Scioto Township fire and EMS departments, along with other emergency personnel.
