Fatal single-vehicle crash reported in Washington Township

ALLEDONIA -- The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred in the early hours of Thursday. The single-vehicle crash happened shortly after midnight at 12:16 a.m. on Township Road 101, or Bend Fork Road, near Ogilbee Road, the patrol states. The driver, Peter David Byers, 49, of Jacobsburg suffered fatal injuries from the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was driving a 2004 Toyota Tacoma at the time of the crash. The pickup truck was traveling southbound on Township Road 101 and went off the right edge of the roadway, down an embankment and overturned into a creek, according to the patrol. The driver was unrestrained, a news release states, and alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor.

The Belmont County Sheriff's Office, Smith Township Volunteer Fire Department and EMS, Hissom's Towing and the Belmont County Coroner's Office assisted at the scene. According to a social media post from Coroner Amanda Fisher, the creek was high and fast-moving. She commended the volunteer first responders for working through the night and braving the frigid water to ensure the driver was removed from the vehicle.

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