Hocking Township – On Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at approximately 1920 hours, the Lancaster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a two vehicle fatal crash on US 22 at milepost 10. The crash resulted in two fatalities.
Patrick L. Anderson, age 49, of Amanda, was driving a grey 2002 Toyota Avalon westbound on US 22. Michael L. Triplett, age 47, of Johnstown, was driving eastbound on US 22. Mr. Triplett drove left of the double yellow line and struck Mr. Anderson’s vehicle head-on.
Mr. Anderson was pronounced deceased at the scene by Berne Township medics and was transported from the scene by Johnson Transport to the Montgomery County Morgue. Mr. Anderson was not wearing his safety belt.
Mr. Triplett sustained minor injuries and was transported from the scene by Lancaster EMS to Fairfield Medical Center. Mr. Triplett had three occupants in the vehicle. The right front passenger, Barbara J. Triplett, age 78, of Johnstown was transported from the scene by Hocking Township EMS to Fairfield Medical Center where she died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. The right rear passenger, Cortney S. Triplett, age 48, of Johnstown, was transported from the scene by Berne Township EMS to Mount Carmel East Hospital where she was in serious but stable condition. The left rear passenger was a 16 year old juvenile. The juvenile sustained serious injuries and was transported from the scene by Clearcreak Township EMS to Mount Carmel East Hospital. All occupants in Mr. Triplett’s vehicle were wearing their safety belts.
Troopers from the Lancaster Post of the Highway Patrol, along with the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, Lancaster Fire and EMS, Hocking Township Fire and EMS, Clearcreak Fire and EMS, Berne Township Fire and EMS, Fairfield County Coroner’s Office, and the Ohio Department of Transportation all responded to the scene. The crash remains under investigation at this time.
