Teen charged in crash that killed off-duty Ohio officer, injured another

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A 17-year-old has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and other felonies in a crash last year that killed an off-duty Wellston police officer and seriously injured another. The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the teen, allegedly intoxicated, rear-ended a golf cart traveling south on South Pennsylvania Avenue in Jackson, causing it to leave the road and hit a tree.

Why it matters

The tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of impaired driving and the risks it poses to both law enforcement and the general public. It also raises questions about underage drinking and access to alcohol, as well as the need for stricter enforcement and harsher penalties for drunk driving, especially when it results in loss of life.

The details

According to authorities, the crash happened around 2 a.m. on August 30, 2025. The 17-year-old was allegedly driving a 2014 Hyundai Accent when they rear-ended the golf cart, causing it to leave the road and strike a tree. Matthew Juniper, a 25-year-old Wellston police officer and former Jackson County sheriff's deputy, was a passenger on the golf cart and died from his injuries. The driver of the golf cart, 40-year-old Wellston police officer Brant Derrow, was seriously injured in the crash.

• The crash occurred around 2 a.m. on August 30, 2025.
• Matthew Juniper, the off-duty officer killed in the crash, had served with the Wellston Police Department for four years and previously worked as a deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

What’s next

The 17-year-old driver is facing charges in Jackson County Juvenile Court, including two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, one count of aggravated vehicular assault, one count of vehicular assault, and two counts of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Ohio Attorney General's Special Prosecutions Section is handling the prosecution of the case.