Zanesville Man Killed in Accident

A Zanesville man passed away following a traffic accident in Noble County.

The Noble County Sheriff’s Office said that around 10:30 p.m.  Thursday, July 3 a vehicle driven by 66-year-old James Searles was traveling west on State Route 78, east of Caldwell, when a family argument erupted inside the vehicle.

Authorities said Searles stopped the vehicle partially on the roadway and a passenger got out. Searles then exited the vehicle and attempted to confront the passenger.

Authorities noted this section of roadway is not lighted and Searles had left his bright lights on. A vehicle approached the stopped vehicle from the opposite direction striking Searles who had wondered into the east bound lane causing immediate death.

The incident remains under investigation.