A Memorial Day drive ended in tragedy near Canton when a Coshocton man was killed and two others were injured in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Route 21 and State Route 212 in Bethlehem Township. The impact sent both vehicles off the northwest corner of the intersection and kept emergency crews on scene well into the afternoon. The Ohio State Highway Patrol has opened an active investigation into the collision.
What Happened
Troopers identified the man who died as 28-year-old Alex McPeak of Coshocton. According to the patrol, McPeak was driving a Ford Escape west on Route 212, stopped at the stop sign, and then tried to make a left turn onto Route 21. Investigators say he failed to yield to a northbound Chevrolet Silverado that was towing a travel trailer.
The Silverado reportedly swerved left of center but still struck the Escape on the driver’s side. McPeak was flown by Metro Life Flight to Summa Health System, Akron campus, where he was later pronounced dead, according to WKYC.
Where It Happened and Safety Context
The wreck took place at a largely rural intersection that appears in the county’s safety planning materials, according to the Stark County crash report. It is the kind of crossroads where a single misjudged turn can have outsized consequences.
Just days before the holiday, the Ohio Turnpike and the Ohio State Highway Patrol issued a joint safety alert reminding drivers to buckle up, slow down, and stay alert during the busy Memorial Day travel period, according to the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission.
Investigation and Response
The driver of the Chevrolet, a 19-year-old woman, was not injured. Troopers said passengers from both vehicles were taken to local hospitals, including Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton and Mercy Hospital, according to WKYC. Investigators reported that impairment is not suspected and that everyone involved had been wearing seat belts.
Several area agencies responded to the scene, including the Strasburg Police Department, Strasburg Fire Department, Bolivar Fire Department and Erie Valley Fire & Rescue, while Canton and private tow companies worked to clear the roadway.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate and has not announced whether any charges will be filed. In the meantime, officials are again stressing the basics for drivers, especially on high-traffic holidays: slow down, buckle up, and take extra care with turns at rural intersections.
