CLAY TOWNSHIP — Two people died and a Lewisburg resident was injured in a utility vehicle crash in nearby Montgomery County Saturday, Oct. 15.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Dayton Post is investigating the single-vehicle fatal crash involving the UTV which occurred near Pansing Road and Phillipsburg-Union Road in Clay Township.

According to a press release, at approximately 12:38 a.m. Saturday, a 2021 Polaris RZR utility vehicle was traveling eastbound through a field off of Pansing Road when it encountered a creek on the property. The vehicle traveled across the creek, striking the opposite bank. The driver, Clayton Cooper, 25 of Phillipsburg, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Leah Scott, 20, of Lewisburg, who was a passenger of the vehicle, suffered serious injuries and was transported to Miami Valley Hospital by Careflight.

Two additional passengers, Bailey Watson, 21, of Englewood, and Madison Grow, 20, of Laura, were killed as a result of the crash.

Troopers on scene were assisted by Clay Township Police Department, Perry Township Police Department, Brookville Fire & EMS, Clayton Fire & EMS, Phillipsburg Fire & EMS, and Englewood Towing. The crash remained under investigation at press time.