KNOX COUNTY – The Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred on Sunday, Oct. 31, at approximately 2:40 p.m., according to a press release from the OSHP.
The crash occurred on Township Road 233 (Monroe Mills Road) near County Road 33 (Zion Road), in Harrison Township, Knox County.
Blaine Cline, 19, of Howard, was operating a silver 2009 Kia Spectra southbound on Township Road 233. He drove off the right side, overcorrected, drove off the left side of the road, struck a tree and overturned. Also in the vehicle were James Clay Bristow II, 18, of Howard, and three Mount Vernon residents: Bruce Caruthers, 18; Faith Straight, 16; and Ryland Rine, 17.
James Clay Bristow II was pronounced deceased at the scene. Cline, Caruthers and Straight were flown to Grant Medical Center. Rine was transported to Knox Community Hospital. The driver was wearing his seatbelt, but all passengers were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors in this crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Mount Vernon Fire Department, Eastern Knox Joint Fire and EMS, and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
The traffic crash remains under investigation by the Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
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