PORTAGE TOWNSHIP, OH — An elderly Hancock County man was killed early Tuesday morning after a single-vehicle crash in Portage Township, according to a statement from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. The victim has been identified as 81-year-old Arthur Patterson Jr.
The crash occurred around 4:24 a.m. on Township Road 21, just west of State Route 613. Investigators say Patterson was traveling westbound when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. His vehicle left the left side of the road, overturned, and came to rest off the shoulder.
Emergency crews, including deputies and local fire and EMS personnel, responded promptly to the scene. Despite their efforts, Patterson was pronounced dead at the site due to the severe injuries he sustained in the rollover.
Officials have not yet determined the cause of the crash. The sheriff’s office has released no indication as to whether weather conditions, road factors, driver impairment, or a potential medical emergency may have contributed to Patterson losing control of his vehicle.
Roadway crews assisted deputies as they worked to secure the crash area, document the scene, and remove the damaged vehicle from the roadside. The investigation remains active, and authorities say additional details will be provided as more information becomes available.
The fatal crash marks another tragic loss for the Hancock County community, which continues to emphasize the importance of roadway safety as investigators work to determine exactly what happened in the early-morning hours of Tuesday.