WEST CHESTER, Ohio — The Butler County Coroner's Office has released the identities of three people killed after a crash in West Chester.
The coroner has identified them as 65-year-old Gregory Meyer from Middletown, 52-year-old Patrick Pelton of Liberty Township and 52-year-old Nicole Collins of Liberty Township.
According to a spokesperson for West Chester Township, Barb Wilson, Meyer was the driver who'd been heading the wrong way.
Wilson said the wrong-way driver hit one vehicle near the VOA shopping center on Cox Road before colliding with a second vehicle near Service Center Drive. Two people died in the second crash, Wilson said.
In total, nine different people called 911 to report the driver or the crash, who callers said was driving "erratically" and "flying" up the wrong side of the road. Multiple people told dispatchers they'd avoided a head-on collision with the driver, but described witnessing the driver crashing.
“We avoided a head-on collision ... but the people behind us were involved," said one 911 caller who was very emotional.
One 911 caller reported that a vehicle was flipped in the median, and two of the 911 callers reported a second vehicle had been cut in half by the crash.
The Butler County Coroner's Office was called to the crash; Collins and Pelton were pronounced dead at the scene and Meyer died at West Chester Hospital, according to the coroner's report.
Collins was a teacher at Ross Middle School for 22 years, the Ross Local School District administration said in a press release.
Pelton and Collins were married but Collins did not officially change her last name, according to a representative with the Butler County Educational Service Center. She went by Mrs. Pelton at school.
"Mrs. Pelton [Collins] was not just a teacher; she was a beacon of light in our school community with a passion for sharing her love of science," the release said. "Colleagues shared how she had a unique talent for infusing her love of science into her lessons and always kept learning fun in her classroom. Her enthusiastic approach to teaching sparked curiosity and excitement in her students, leaving a lasting impression on their educational journey. Her loss leaves a void that will be deeply felt by students, colleagues, and community members alike."
A middle school friend of Collins, Candy Felty-Burns, said it still doesn’t feel real. Burns described Collins as wonderful, kind and gentle.
While reflecting on Collins’ teaching career, Burns said she couldn’t be more proud of the teacher her friend was.
“I've heard such great stories from people who say she taught their children," Burns said. “And they loved her.”
The release said schools are closed Tuesday for a conference exchange day but the middle school will open and have counselors available for staff and students from 12-2 p.m.
Counselors will also be available on Wednesday when the school reopens "to offer ongoing support as needed," the release said.
"As we mourn the loss of Mrs. Pelton [Collins], let us also remember the joy, curiosity and knowledge she brought into our lives," the press release said. "Let us honor her memory by continuing to uphold the values she exemplified and by supporting one another with compassion and kindness."
Wilson said police are waiting on toxicology reports from the coroner's office.
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