GRATIS – Troopers of the Bowling Green Post of the the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating a double-fatal crash that occurred early Monday morning, Dec. 18.
Preble County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joshua Isaac Hamilton, 34, of Eldorado, and Michael Eugene Gayhart II, 36, of West Elkton each were pronounced dead at the scene of the head-on collision at 4:09 a.m., troopers said.
Troopers said Hamilton was traveling southbound on state Route 503 in a marked 2018 Ford Explorer, while Gayhart was operating a northbound vehicle. The vehicles collided in a head-on crash.
No other individuals were in either vehicle when the crash occurred.
Both the north and south lanes of state Route 503 were closed immediately following the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Preble County Sheriff’s Office.
The Preble County Sheriff’s Office reports Deputy Hamilton had served with the department since May of 2022. He was assigned to the jail until June of 2023, when he was promoted to road patrol.
Hamilton had served in the United States Navy Reserve and was currently serving in the United States Army National Guard. He is survived by parents and his 10-year-old daughter.
Troopers continue to investigate the crash.