CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — February 28, 2026 — A tragic crash on Walnut Creek Pike Friday morning resulted in one death and two injuries, according to the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred around 10:00 a.m. at 2611 Walnut Creek Pike. Deputies responding to a 911 call found a 2025 white Nissan Sentra had veered off the west side of the roadway, traveled through two yards, and collided with a 2022 white Chevrolet Equinox parked in a driveway. At the same time, a 52-year-old woman, later identified as Laura J. Hammond of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, was struck and pinned between the vehicles. She was transported to Ohio Health Grant Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries.
Sheriff Matthew O. Hafey reported that just before Hammond was struck, she moved a young child who was playing in the driveway, likely saving the child’s life. The juvenile was transported to Ohio Health Berger Hospital by Circleville EMS for non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Nissan, 60-year-old John F. Hill of Circleville, was also taken to Ohio Health Berger Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted with the investigation at the hospital.
Sheriff Hafey thanked the multiple agencies that responded to the scene, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Circleville Fire and EMS, Pickaway Township Fire and EMS, Harrison Township Fire and EMS, Scioto Township Fire and EMS, and the Pickaway County Engineers Office.
The crash remains under investigation by the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
