News
Sheriff Vehicle Struck While Responding To Emergency
By: Gretchen Gregory | The Logan Daily News Editor
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A law enforcement vehicle was struck by a vehicle Tuesday night while responding to an emergency on Drummond Drive.
Hocking County Sheriff Sgt. Brian McManaway was dispatched to an overdose on Drummond Drive at about 10 p.m. when the Ford Expedition he was driving was struck at the intersection of Mulberry and Front Street.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that Jacqueline Stufflebeam, 65, of Logan, was traveling westbound on East Front Street in a Chevrolet Aveo when she struck McManaway’s Expedition as it was traveling south along South Mulberry Street.
A video of the collision was captured by Adam Anderson, owner of DayNite Cab Company LLC, who was returning home at the time. The video shows Anderson turning right onto state Route 93 from U.S. 33 eastbound before heading towards the intersection of Front and Mulberry.
The video was shot quite a distance away from the accident, but McManaway’s emergency sirens appeared to be on when he was struck by the Aveo on the rear driver’s side.
The impact caused the Expedition to veer to the left and strike a semi-trailer that was stopped at a red light heading north on South Mulberry Street. The semi, owned by C&C Farms & Excavating, was driven by Joey Berry, 61, of Bremen.
Luckily no one was injured in the crash.
“I left the sheriff’s office and headed east on Second Street,” McManaway said in his statement about the accident. “I activated my emergency lights and turned right heading south on Mulberry Street. I activated my siren after making the turn. When I approached the intersection at Mulberry and Front Street, I slowed and looked left and right. After believing the intersection was clear, I proceeded south at about 15 to 25 miles per hour.
“I could see vehicle headlights, to the left rear of my cruiser. The vehicle struck the left rear quarter of my cruiser. This caused the rear of my cruiser to swing to the right, I was unable to gain control and struck a semi-truck in the northbound turn lane. My cruiser then swung and struck the semi-trailer again. My vehicle came to rest against the semi-trailer.”
No citations were issued as of Wednesday afternoon. According to the OSHP, the crash remains under investigation.
Lt. George Harlow of the Athens Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol sought to remind motorists to remain vigilant while driving and be aware of all hazards around them, especially relating to officers responding to emergencies.
“When you see emergency lights, promptly move to the right side of the roadway and stop, regardless of what direction the officer may be approaching from,” he urged.