GALLOWAY, OH (WCMH)– A 14-year-old is dead and two other juveniles were taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital after a crash Tuesday morning.
The sheriff’s office says the Toyota was apparently traveling southbound on Darby Creek Road, lost control, went off the roadway, overturned, and struck a tree near Alkire Road.
The driver and a passenger were transported to Nationwide Children’s with non-life threatening injuries by Pleasant Township medics. They have since been released.
A second passenger, 14-year-old Stevie Ray, was trapped within the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene.
All three of the occupants were male juveniles and were wearing seatbelts. Neither alcohol nor drugs are a factor and this incident remains under investigation, the sheriff’s office says.
Deputies said Darby Creek Drive is closed north of Alkire Road while crews investigate.
The principal of Hilliard Memorial Middle School, where Ray was a student, sent this email out to the school family.
Dear Memorial Families,
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you one of our Memorial students passed away today. Due to the fact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and out of respect for the family we won’t be releasing any more details at this time.
We are all deeply saddened by this event. Please take this opportunity to inform your student about this situation and share any information about your family’s personal beliefs and preferences related to this passing. Death is a difficult topic for many adults and also children handle this stress in a variety of ways. It is natural for them to ask questions or to display behaviors such as:
- clinging close to adults;
- displaying regressive behaviors;
- repetitively re-enacting the event in play activities;
- appearing not to be affected;
- thinking about it privately;
- appearing frightened, agitated or angry;
- experiencing difficulty sleeping; and,
- complaining of stomachaches or not feeling well.
It is important to listen to your child, help them understand what has happened and return to normal every day activities.
We are currently working out details to support students, staff and families during this difficult time. We will have counselors available should students or staff need additional support. While each of us will handle this news in a different manner, it is important that we are supportive of each other as we return to a normal routine.
Please keep this family in your thoughts and feel free to contact the school office if needed.
Sincerely,
Barry Bay
Principal
