Fatal crash under investigation

HARRISON TWP — The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a traffic crash that resulted in the death of a Kentucky man.

The Pickaway County Communications Center received a 911 call about a single traffic crash in the area of US Route 23 South in the area of Hagerty Road, in Harrison Township around 3:31 a.m. Sept. 4. The Communications Center later received calls about other vehicles possibly being involved in the crash.

When deputies arrived on scene, they learned the crash occurred in the area of US Route 23 South in the area of Hagerty Road. Deputies learned that Eric A. Payne, 53, of Paris, Kentucky, was driving a 2012 silver Ford Focus southbound on US 23, just north of Hagerty Road.

Payne drove his vehicle off the roadway to the left, rolled it, then hit the crossover, causing the vehicle to go air born. The Ford Focus landed on its wheels and continued south until it came to rest in the median.

The other vehicles that were reported as being involved, struck debris from this crash and were not technically involved in the initial crash.

Payne was taken to Ohio Health Berger Hospital by Harrison Township EMS. He was later flown to Grant Medical Center by Med Flight.

On Friday September 6, Payne succumbed to his injuries suffered in the crash and died at Grant Medical Center.

Sheriff Matthew Hafey thanked the Harrison Township Fire and EMS, City of Circleville Fire and EMS, Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio State Highway Patrol for all of their assistance at the scene.