79-year-old woman killed, 3 hospitalized in Montgomery County crash

Troopers say the crash occurred at the intersection of Westbrook and Hoke roads on Friday afternoon.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:04pm

An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car windshield reflecting the harsh light of a camera flash, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a serious car accident.The aftermath of a fatal car crash in Clayton, Ohio exposes the human toll of unsafe driving practices.Clayton Today

A 79-year-old woman was killed and three other people were hospitalized after a crash in Clayton, Ohio on Friday. The preliminary investigation indicates that an 83-year-old man driving a Hyundai Elantra failed to yield the right of way at the intersection and was struck by a Chevrolet Silverado driven by a 39-year-old man.

Why it matters

Fatal car crashes are a major public safety concern, especially at dangerous intersections. This incident highlights the need for improved traffic safety measures and driver education to prevent such tragedies.

The details

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Hyundai Elantra, driven by 83-year-old John Huston of Trotwood, was traveling south on Hoke Road when it failed to yield the right of way and was struck by the Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 39-year-old Cody Ritter of Greenville, who was traveling westbound on Westbrook Road. Huston's passenger, 79-year-old Joya Hill of Trotwood, was transported to Miami Valley Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Huston was also transported to Miami Valley Hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. Ritter and his passenger were both transported to Miami Valley North with non-life-threatening injuries.

  • The crash occurred just before 4 p.m. on Friday, April 18, 2026.

The players

John Huston

An 83-year-old man from Trotwood, Ohio who was driving the Hyundai Elantra involved in the crash.

Joya Hill

A 79-year-old woman from Trotwood, Ohio who was the passenger in the Hyundai Elantra and was killed in the crash.

Cody Ritter

A 39-year-old man from Greenville, Ohio who was driving the Chevrolet Silverado involved in the crash.

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What’s next

The crash remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of safe driving practices, especially at intersections, to prevent loss of life. Local authorities will likely review the intersection's safety features and consider additional measures to improve traffic flow and visibility to avoid future crashes.