A Pike County resident was killed late Friday morning after being struck by a vehicle while crossing State Route 124, a well-traveled roadway for residents moving between Piketon, Waverly, and surrounding townships.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, troopers from the Portsmouth Post were called to the scene at approximately 11:26 a.m. in Benton Township, near milepost 11, after reports of a serious injury crash involving a pedestrian. Investigators say a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, traveling eastbound, struck a man who was attempting to cross the highway.
The pedestrian was identified as Daniel James Diacos, 71, of Piketon. He suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency personnel.
The driver of the Hyundai was identified as John W. Jarrell, 45, of Ironton. No injuries to the driver were reported in the initial release.
Several local agencies responded to assist, including the Benton Township Fire Department, Portsmouth Ambulance, the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, the Pike County Coroner, and crews from the Ohio Department of Transportation, who helped manage traffic along the busy stretch of roadway during the investigation.
State Route 124 is commonly used by area residents and workers traveling between Pike County communities, and crashes involving pedestrians on rural highways often draw concern due to limited visibility and higher traffic speeds.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the crash remains under investigation. No information was released regarding whether speed, impairment, or visibility were contributing factors, and no charges have been announced at this time.
Authorities are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.