A tragic three-vehicle accident on U.S. Route 40 near Chapel Hill Road has left 73-year-old Diane McElfresh dead and several others injured in a heartbreaking incident that occurred on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, around 5:10 p.m.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (Zanesville Post), the fatal crash involved three vehicles. Investigators say 74-year-old Kathryn Bollinger, of Zanesville, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu westbound on U.S. 40 when her vehicle struck a 2015 Honda Accord operated by 22-year-old Gage Summers, of Coshocton. Summers’ vehicle had been stopped on U.S. 40, waiting to make a left turn into a private driveway.
After the initial collision, Bollinger’s Malibu reportedly traveled left of center, crashing into a 2014 Honda Odyssey driven by 38-year-old Samantha Mellott, also of Zanesville.
Tragically, Diane McElfresh, of Gratiot, who was a passenger in the Chevrolet Malibu, was pronounced deceased at the scene due to injuries sustained in the crash.
Emergency crews from Falls Township Fire and EMS, Genesis Community Ambulance, Zanesville Fire and EMS, and the Ohio Department of Transportation responded swiftly to the scene, working to assist the injured and manage traffic as investigators worked to determine the cause of the accident.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances leading up to the crash, including road conditions, vehicle speeds, and possible contributing factors.
Family, friends, and community members are mourning the sudden loss of Diane McElfresh, remembering her as a kind-hearted, loving woman whose warmth and presence touched everyone who knew her. Her passing has left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of her loved ones and in the Gratiot community she called home.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge all drivers to remain cautious and attentive, especially on rural highways where traffic patterns can change unexpectedly.
The entire Hopewell Township community extends its deepest condolences to the McElfresh family, as well as to all those affected by this devastating accident. May Diane’s memory be a lasting reminder of love, compassion, and the preciousness of every moment on life’s journey.
