By Frank Lewis
A Portsmouth man has been killed in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 52. Killed in the crash was Stanley R. Wetzel, age 67.
According to the Portsmouth Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 3:50 p.m. on Saturday near mile post 19 in Washington Township. Troopers said Billy Joe Buchanan, 79, of South Lyon, Michigan, was driving a 2010 Ford Escort the wrong way, eastbound in the westbound passing lane on U.S. 52, a divided roadway and struck the Wetzel vehicle, a 2000 Honda Accord head-on. Wetzel’s vehicle was struck in the driver’s side door as he attempted to avoid being struck by Buchanan’s vehicle.
Wetzel was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Scioto County Coroner and transported to the Southern Ohio Medical Center’s morgue.
Wetzel’s passengers, Gladys Irene Wetzel, 57, of West Portsmouth, and a juvenile female, were both airlifted from the scene and taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Huntington, West Virginia. Gladys Irene Wetzel and a juvenile passenger were both listed in stable condition on Monday.
Buchanan was transported to Grant Hospital in Columbus, by Health Net and was reportedly in stable condition.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Washington Township EMS and Fire Department, the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and the Scioto County Coroner.
The crash remains under investigation by personnel of the Portsmouth Post of the OSHP.
Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.
