The recent tragedy in West Chester has left a somber mark on the community, as the Butler County Coroner’s Office has sadly confirmed the identities of three individuals who lost their lives in a horrific crash. Gregory Meyer, aged 65, hailing from Middletown, along with Patrick Pelton, 52, and Nicole Collins, also 52, both from Liberty Township, were the victims of this devastating incident.
According to Barb Wilson, spokesperson for West Chester Township, Meyer was identified as the driver responsible for the wrong-way collision. The harrowing sequence of events unfolded near the VOA shopping center on Cox Road, where Meyer’s vehicle first struck one car before tragically colliding with another near Service Center Drive. Wilson recounted the heart-wrenching details, mentioning that two lives were lost in the second collision.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that multiple witnesses dialed 911 to report the erratic and dangerous driving behavior exhibited by the wrong-way driver. Callers described the vehicle as “flying” up the wrong side of the road, narrowly avoiding head-on collisions but ultimately ending in tragedy. One particularly emotional caller recounted their close call, expressing anguish over the fate of those involved.
Reports from the scene painted a grim picture, with descriptions of vehicles overturned and mangled by the force of the crashes. The severity of the incident was further emphasized by the fact that Collins and Pelton were pronounced dead at the scene, while Meyer succumbed to his injuries at West Chester Hospital, as confirmed by the Butler County Coroner’s Office.
As the community grapples with this profound loss, law enforcement officials are diligently awaiting toxicology reports from the coroner’s office to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic events.
