A quiet stretch of Stonecreek Road in York Township turned deadly on Monday when a head-on crash left one person dead and three others injured. Tuscarawas County authorities identified the person killed as 24-year-old Dalton J. Miller of West Lafayette, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Among the injured was a 2-year-old who was treated at the scene and later released to a family member.
Where it happened
The collision happened on Stonecreek Road (County Road 21) just north of Circle Drive in York Township, a rural part of Tuscarawas County north of New Philadelphia. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation's township road inventory, Stonecreek Road is designated as CR-21 in York Township and serves as a connector for local roads in the area. Emergency crews shut down the roadway while they worked the scene and cleared debris.
What we know about the crash
State troopers report that a southbound 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis struck a northbound 2012 Toyota Highlander in a head-on collision, killing the Mercury's driver at the scene. The Tuscarawas County coroner's office identified the deceased as Dalton J. Miller, and troopers told WKYC that both occupants of the Mercury were wearing seatbelts. Troopers said the Mercury passenger was taken to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital and the Highlander's driver was transported to Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Investigators also reported the Highlander went off the roadway and hit a guardrail after the impact. Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office, New Philadelphia and York Township fire departments, the county coroner, Smith Ambulance and local towing crews.
Investigation and safety
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is handling the investigation and has not released details about speed, impairment or any potential charges as the probe continues. State data shows seat-belt use in Ohio has varied in recent years and can lag in rural counties, a persistent challenge for reducing serious injuries, according to a report from the Ohio Safety Belt Task Force. Local officials are asking anyone with information or dash-cam footage to contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol post overseeing the case.
