Fayette County – The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office responded to a distressing scene on May 3, 2024, at approximately 3 p.m. in the 8000 block of US 62 North following reports of an injury accident involving a child struck while exiting a school bus.
Upon arrival, investigators found that a Miami Trace Local School District bus had come to a stop in the 8000 block of US 62 North to allow a student to disembark. As the bus activated its lights and stop sign, southbound traffic halted to facilitate the safe exit of the student. However, amidst the stationary vehicles, a 2020 Dodge Ram, driven by 28-year-old Austin Rideout from Washington CH, failed to notice the stopped cars and the school bus.
The Dodge Ram collided with the rear end of a 2010 Ford Fusion, operated by 21-year-old Mason Roush from Greenfield, causing it to propel forward and strike a 2013 Honda Civic, driven by 42-year-old Anthony Hamilton from Washington CH. The impact caused the Fusion to veer across the yellow center line into the northbound lane, where it struck a 12-year-old student who was disembarking from the bus and entering a driveway. The force of the collision propelled the student through the air, landing in the front yard of 8824 US 62 North. Subsequently, the Fusion continued along the ditch line before coming to a halt at the rear of the school bus.
Fayette County EMS arrived at the scene and urgently requested Med-Flight assistance to airlift the injured student to a Columbus-area trauma center. Meanwhile, Mr. Roush was transported to the Adena Fayette Emergency Room by Fayette County EMS for treatment. Both Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Rideout, who sustained minor injuries, declined transportation by EMS personnel.
Mr. Rideout has been charged with failing to maintain an assured clear distance ahead and has been summoned to appear in the Washington Municipal Court for his initial court appearance
