CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — A woman has died following a crash Friday morning along Walnut Creek Pike, according to the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Matthew O. Hafey said deputies were dispatched at 10 a.m. Feb. 27 to 2611 Walnut Creek Pike after the Pickaway County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a motor vehicle crash involving injuries.
When deputies arrived, they found a 2025 white Nissan Sentra that had struck a tree on the south side of the property. An injured woman was located near the vehicle. Medics rendered aid at the scene before transporting her for treatment.
Investigators said the Nissan had been traveling southbound on Walnut Creek Pike when it went off the west side of the roadway near 2661 Walnut Creek Pike. The vehicle traveled through two yards before reaching a driveway at 2611 Walnut Creek Pike.
According to the sheriff’s office, the Nissan struck a parked 2022 white Chevrolet Equinox in the driveway, causing it to spin. At the same time, the vehicle struck a woman, pinning her between the two vehicles.
Deputies learned that just before she was hit, the woman moved a young juvenile who had been playing in the driveway out of the path of the oncoming vehicle. Authorities said her actions likely saved the child’s life.
The woman was identified as 52-year-old Laura J. Hammond of Mt. Sterling. She was transported by Circleville EMS to Grant Medical Center in Columbus, where she later died from her injuries.
The juvenile was taken to OhioHealth Berger Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Nissan, 60-year-old John F. Hill of Circleville, was transported to Berger Hospital by Pickaway Township EMS for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted at the hospital and remains involved in the investigation.
Sheriff Hafey thanked multiple agencies for assisting at the scene, including fire and EMS crews from Circleville, Pickaway Township, Harrison Township and Scioto Township, along with the Pickaway County Engineer’s Office.
The crash remains under investigation by the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.