Highway Patrol investigates fatal crash in Licking County

Granville, OH- The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred Tuesday evening in Licking County, involving a hit and run vehicle.

Troopers from the Granville Post responded around 6:10 p.m. to a reported pedestrian crash on U.S. Route 40 near the intersection with state Route 668.

According to the patrol, Mechelle Thompson, 52, of Heath, was driving a 2013 Buick LaCrosse westbound on U.S. 40 when Gene Church, 56, of Brownsville, entered the roadway from the north side of the highway.

Church was struck by Thompson’s vehicle and came to rest in the westbound lanes. While in the roadway, he was struck by a second vehicle, which fled the scene, authorities said.

Church was transported to Genesis Hospital in Zanesville, where he was pronounced dead. Thompson was not injured.

The patrol was assisted at the scene by the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Licking Township Fire Department and the National Trails Fire Department.

The crash remains under investigation.