The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred Thursday at approximately 6:40pm on Brown Road, just south of Frank Road.

Police say a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer driven by Christian Bednarz, 18, of Grove City was travelling southbound on Brown Road.

Investigators say that Bednarz appears to have lost control of the vehicle, which exited the left side of the roadway sideways, where it struck a tree with the passenger side doors. 

According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Bednarz and three passengers were taken to Grant Medical Center in critical condition. 

One of those passengers, 16-year-old Cory McGruder, of Grove City, was pronounced dead at Grant Hospital at 7:25pm.

The driver, Christian Bednarz, Ezekiel Atkinson, 18, of Columbus and another 16 year old passenger are in critical condition, according to FCSO reports.

There is no indication that alcohol or drugs were a factor in this crash.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.