ORIENT, OH — Three Circleville residents were involved in a serious crash late Saturday in the Orient area after a vehicle left the roadway and struck a home along State Route 762. The crash happened around 11:30 pm on Saturday night.
PICKAWAY COUNTY, OH – A tragic single-vehicle crash on September 27 claimed the life of a Circleville teen, authorities confirmed.
According to Sheriff Matthew O. Hafey, at 11:16 p.m., the Pickaway County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a crash at 12537 State Route 762 in Darby Township, near Orient. Deputies responded and began investigating the incident.
Officials say a 2003 white Ford F-250, driven by 17-year-old Carson L. Frazier of Circleville, was traveling northwest on State Route 762, just south of US Route 62, when it struck a guardrail. The truck appeared to overcorrect, lost control, and crossed the roadway before coming to rest against a nearby residence.
One of the passengers, 16-year-old Drace W. Johnson of Circleville, was transported by Sterling Joint EMS to Mount Carmel Grove City Hospital and later transferred to Mount Carmel East Hospital. Two other juvenile male occupants were also in the truck.
Local homeowners in the area jumped in to aid to help Drace, including a 19-year-old woman who is currently attending nursing school, who did CPR when they found Drace unresponsive with no pulse. Her and a neighbor regained a pulse and maintained care until EMS arrived.
Frazier was arrested at the scene for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Tragically, Drace Johnson passed away on September 29 at Mount Carmel East Hospital. The family has decided to donate his organs so Drace can live on and help others.
Sheriff Hafey thanked the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Sterling Joint EMS, and Tri County Fire for their assistance at the scene.
The crash remains under active investigation by the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
