Child Pedestrian Killed in Wayne County Crash

• July 17, 2023

Milton Township – On Friday, July 14, 2023 at approximately 7:57 p.m., the Ohio State Highway Patrol Wooster Post was notified of a serious injury crash on Township Road 73 (Eby Road), just south of State Route 604 in Milton Township, Wayne County. Initial reports indicated a child was struck by a pickup truck.

The initial on-scene investigation revealed a silver 2019 Ford F-150 pickup was traveling south on Township Road 73 (Eby Road) from State Route 604. The pedestrian, a 15-month-old child, was standing in the road when he was struck by the F-150. Sterling Fire and EMS personnel responded and Life Flight was immediately summoned to the scene. The child was flown to Akron Children’s Hospital where he died the following day.

Further investigation revealed the child had walked away from a nearby home and the 17-year-old caregiver was unaware he was in the road. The driver of the Ford F-150, Brian Polen, 43, Smithville, and his passenger were not hurt. The F-150 was towed from the scene by TNT Towing as standard procedure for the investigation.

The crash and the events that led up to the death of the child remain under investigation.

ASHLAND WEATHER