Circleville Man Indicted in Fatal Crash That Killed Woman After She Pushed Child to Safety
CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — A Circleville man has been arrested and indicted on charges stemming from a February crash that killed a woman after authorities say she pushed a young child out of the path of an out-of-control vehicle, likely saving the child's life.
Pickaway County Sheriff Matthew O. Hafey announced that John F. Hill, 60, of Circleville, was taken into custody Monday on a warrant issued by the Pickaway County Common Pleas Court following a grand jury indictment.
Hill is charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a first-degree misdemeanor.
He is being held in the Pickaway County Jail on a $100,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned July 15 in Pickaway County Common Pleas Court.
The charges stem from a crash that occurred about 10 a.m. on Feb. 27 along Walnut Creek Pike near Circleville.
According to investigators, deputies responded to a report of a crash involving injuries and found a 2025 Nissan Sentra that had left the roadway before traveling through two residential yards. Authorities said the vehicle entered the driveway of a home in the 2600 block of Walnut Creek Pike, where it struck a parked 2022 Chevrolet Equinox.
Investigators said the Nissan also struck Laura J. Hammond, 52, of Mt. Sterling, pinning her between the two vehicles.
The sheriff's office said Hammond had moments earlier moved a young child who had been playing in the driveway out of the vehicle's path. Investigators believe her actions likely prevented the child from being struck.
Hammond was transported to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries.
The child suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to OhioHealth Berger Hospital. Hill was also transported to Berger Hospital with injuries that authorities described as non-life-threatening.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted deputies during the crash investigation, including at the hospital following the collision.
Sheriff Hafey thanked the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Circleville Fire and EMS, Pickaway Township Fire and EMS, Harrison Township Fire and EMS, Scioto Township Fire and EMS, and the Pickaway County Engineer's Office for their assistance.
The investigation remains ongoing.
