US-22 crash victims identified
May 1, 2019
The remaining victims in the Wednesday morning head-on collision on US-22 near mile post 3 have been identified.
Courtney Strate of East Fultonham, 26, and Michelle Moody, 47, were pronounced dead at the scene and had to be extricated from the 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan, according to a media release from Ohio State Highway Patrol.
There were four children in the minivan with Strate and Moody. Five-year-old Wrett Rich was life-flighted to Children’s Hospital and remains in critical condition, the release states.
The other three children — Westin Rich, 6 years-old, Wrenley Strate, 3 years-old, and Waylan Strate, 2 years-old — were taken to Genesis Hospital before being transported to Children’s Hospital. All three children are in stable condition.
According to the media release, the accident occurred when off-duty Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office deputy Zackary Smith went left of center in his 2013 Chevrolet pick-up truck and struck Strate’s minivan head-on.
Smith was taken to Genesis Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
At the scene, MedFlight 6 made a precautionary landing quickly after taking off with a patient transport as a helicopter blade reportedly struck tree limbs, according to a press release from MedFlight. Another flight team was assigned the transport.
The Zanesville Post of Ohio State Highway Patrol is still investigating the accident.
Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office, Newton Fire and EMS, South Zanesville EMS, Falls Township EMS, Zanesville Fire Department, Community Ambulance, Muskingum County Coroner, SRS Services, ODOT, B&H Towing and Tanner’s Towing all assisted Ohio State Highway Patrol on scene.
Tim Smith • May 5, 2019 at 12:04 am
Prayers for the families of both.
How ironic that Michelle Moody was a jail nurse for the Kosciusko Co. Sheriffs Office in Indiana.
Michele • May 2, 2019 at 9:46 am
My prayers are with all especially the surviving children.
People say everything happens for a reason but it is hard sometimes to believe that when something so tragic has happened, 3 lives gone in the blink of an eye.
Hug your loved ones and tell them you love them because one day may be your last. Prayers go up for both families, the MCS dept. First responders, and ED dept. at Genesis.
Kim Bromley • May 2, 2019 at 9:14 am
I prayed to GOD that your helicopter wouldn’t go down! Thanks to Everyone for their efforts at the scene. Muskingum County lost a fine new deputy and the people of Fultonham and East Fultonham lost two young women. Keep the children in your Prayers!! Please use caution on State Route 22 between Fultonham n Avondale! There are several blind corners.
Dawn bules • May 1, 2019 at 9:52 pm
Texting and driving?