MARIETTA, OH — A one-year-old child was killed Tuesday morning in a head-on crash on State Route 37 in Malta Township, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Marietta Post. Troopers said the collision happened around 8:25 a.m. near Cordray Road and involved an Ohio Department of Transportation truck and a Chevy Equinox.
Investigators said the ODOT truck was traveling west when it crossed left of center and struck the eastbound SUV. The driver of the Equinox, 20-year-old Madison Grimmett of Crooksville, was taken to Genesis Hospital in Zanesville with serious injuries. The child passenger was pronounced dead after the crash.
Troopers say the ODOT truck crossed left of center
According to the preliminary investigation, the crash began when the ODOT truck, driven by 46-year-old Christopher Gorrell of McConnelsville, moved left of center while heading west on State Route 37. The truck then hit Grimmett’s Chevy Equinox head-on, creating the severe collision that followed.
State Route 37 is a major roadway through the area, and the wreck happened close to Cordray Road in Malta Township. Troopers have not said what caused the truck to drift across the center line, and the findings remain preliminary while investigators continue to gather information.
Young passenger pronounced dead at the scene
The youngest victim in the crash did not survive. Ohio State Highway Patrol said the one-year-old passenger in the Chevy Equinox was pronounced deceased after the collision. Authorities did not release the child’s name.
Grimmett was the driver of the SUV and was described as having serious injuries. She was transported to Genesis Hospital in Zanesville for treatment. Gorrell also was injured, though troopers said his injuries were not considered life-threatening, and he was taken to Marietta Memorial Hospital.
Driver injuries were treated at two area hospitals
The crash sent both drivers to hospitals for evaluation and care. Grimmett’s serious injuries led to her transport to Genesis Hospital in Zanesville, while Gorrell was taken to Marietta Memorial Hospital in Marietta.
Officials did not immediately provide additional details about the extent of either driver’s injuries or their expected recovery. The Highway Patrol said the investigation was still active, which means more information could be released later as troopers complete their review of the scene and statements from those involved.
Several agencies responded to the crash scene
Multiple agencies assisted the Ohio State Highway Patrol at the scene Tuesday morning. Those listed included the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, the Muskingum County Coroner, the Morgan County Prosecutor, and M-M Volunteer Fire Department and EMS.
That response reflects the seriousness of the collision and the number of agencies that often help when a fatal crash requires traffic control, medical response, and investigative support. Officials have not said whether any citations or charges have been filed.
Crash investigation remains open in Morgan County
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the crash remains under investigation. At this stage, troopers have shared only the preliminary account of how the collision occurred and the initial injuries involved.
Further findings could clarify why the ODOT truck crossed left of center and whether roadway, mechanical, or other factors played a role. For now, authorities are still working to piece together the circumstances of the fatal crash on State Route 37.
