CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A local man is recovering from serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle while walking along a dark stretch of US Highway 50 Sunday night.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:27 p.m. on April 19, 2026, near the intersection of Eastern Avenue (US 50) and Watt Street.
The Incident
According to the Chillicothe Police Department’s crash report, a pedestrian was walking southwest along the right side of Eastern Avenue while pushing two grocery carts. The individual was pushing two grocery carts when a 2017 Chevrolet Sonic, driven by Reece A. Wheeler, 24, of Londonderry, struck him from behind.
Investigating Officer James Kight noted several factors that contributed to the collision:
- Visibility: The portion of Eastern Avenue where the crash occurred was not illuminated by street lamps.
- Clothing: The pedestrian was not wearing reflective clothing or utilizing any lighting equipment while walking in the roadway at night.
- Vehicle Damage: The Chevrolet Sonic sustained “disabling damage” to its front end and was towed from the scene by C.V. Towing.
Injuries and Emergency Response
The pedestrian suffered suspected serious injuries and was treated at the scene before being transported to the hospital by emergency medical services. Wheeler, the driver of the Chevrolet, reported no injuries following the impact.
Citations and Fault
Following an investigation at the scene, police determined the pedestrian was at fault for the accident.
- The Pedestrian was cited for Pedestrian in the Roadway.
- Reece Wheeler was issued a citation for Expired Registration.
The scene was cleared by 10:36 p.m., roughly an hour after the initial dispatch.
