Fatal crash on U.S. 40 closes road for four hours

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that happened Monday evening on U.S. 40 in Hopewell Twp.

Zanesville State Troopers say that two vehicles were involved in the accident near mile post 4, shortly before 5:30 p.m.

Sergeant Jeffrey Jirles said, 29-year-old Graham Vineyard of Zanesville, was driving a 2016 Kia Sorento and collided with a 2007 Honda Civic, driven by 80-year-old, Carolyn Hughes of Gratiot.

Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene by the Muskingum County Coroner’s Office, and Vineyard was transported to Genesis Hospital for treatment.

“The witness accounts of the events here indicate this is a left of center accident that has resulted in one fatality at this point,” said Sergeant Jirles.

Hughes was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. U.S. 40 was closed for about four hours as a result of the crash. The incident remains under investigation.