UPDATE: ZPD Releases New Information in Multi-vehicle Crash

The Zanesville Police Department has released new details into a multi-vehicle accident that sent several people to the hospital Thursday night.

Captain Tony Coury said around 6:40 p.m. ZPD was dispatched to Maple Avenue for a multi-vehicle injury accident. Upon arrival, officers discovered that five vehicles were involved.

Coury said 19-year-old, Travis Jerig, was driving a 1998 Ford Mustang southbound on Maple, at a high rate of speed. Due to what appears to be a vehicular malfunction, he failed to stop at a red light at the intersection of Maple and Locust, before being struck by a Chevy Malibu coming from Locust onto Maple.

The Mustang then continued onward to strike a Pontiac Grand Prix in the northbound lanes, that vehicle then coasted backward hitting a parked Chrysler on Sheridan Street. The Mustang continued to spiral out of control, and was struck by a GMC pick-up truck traveling northbound on Maple, before coming to a final stop.

“We asked for a reconstruction expert to come to the scene, upon their arrival they’ve taken plenty of measurements, pictures, and gathered information from the vehicle’s computer systems, and they’re going to try to piece that accident back together,” Coury said.

Coury said the driver of the Mustang claims the throttle was sticking, but the cause of the crash remains under investigation. All persons involved were transported to Genesis Hospital. Jerig’s passenger, 19-year-old, Trista Walls, suffered the most injuries, and had to be extracted from the vehicle.

“Once they’ve determined exactly what happened, whether it’s a vehicle malfunction or a driver error, we will either consult with the city’s prosecutor, or go ahead and charge, or not charge, anyone with this accident,” Coury said.

ZPD is asking for any witnesses to come forward to help with the investigation.