Fatal Accident in Perry County

Two vehicles collided on S.R. 13 in Monroe Township in Perry County early Saturday evening. 

The Lancaster Post of the State Highway Patrol reported the accident happened around 5:25 p.m. The State Patrol confirmed Austin Devolld, 25, of Zanesville was traveling southbound on S.R. 13 in a 2003 Dodge Pick-up. At which point, Matthew Handa, 37, of Glouster was heading northbound on S.R. 13, towing a small trailer with a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee. 

According to a press release from the State Patrol, Handa traveled left of center and struck Devolld’s vehicle head-on. Devolld was transported to the Ohio State University Medical Center via Med Flight, and Handa was transported by Corning Township EMS to O’Bleness Hospital in Athens. 

Handa was pronounced dead at the hospital, the State Patrol said. 

Alcohol is not considered a factor in the accident; however, it remains under investigation by the Lancaster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.