Cole Scholey and Kelly Kemp Killed in Head-On Crash on U.S. Route 62 in Perry Township, Ohio

 A devastating head-on collision on U.S. Route 62 in Perry Township has left two people dead and a juvenile passenger seriously injured, following a violent crash Saturday morning that authorities say unfolded within seconds but changed multiple lives forever along a stretch of roadway now under close investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Troopers confirmed the crash occurred around 7:15 a.m. near milepost 11, when a 2019 Ford Ranger traveling northbound, driven by 21-year-old Cole Scholey of Beach City, crossed left of center for reasons still being examined by investigators. The vehicle entered the southbound lane directly into the path of an oncoming minivan, setting off a catastrophic impact.

The southbound vehicle, a 2021 Honda Odyssey, was being driven by 56-year-old Kelly Kemp of Massillon. The force of the head-on collision caused extensive damage to both vehicles, leaving debris scattered across the roadway and prompting an immediate emergency response from multiple agencies in the area.

Kelly Kemp was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained in the crash, marking a sudden and tragic loss for her family and community. Emergency responders worked quickly to assess the scene, but the severity of the impact left little opportunity for life-saving intervention.

Cole Scholey was critically injured and transported by ambulance to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, where medical teams attempted to save his life. Despite those efforts, he later succumbed to his injuries, deepening the tragedy and leaving two families grieving losses on the same day.

A juvenile passenger in the Honda Odyssey also suffered serious injuries in the collision and was transported to Aultman Hospital for emergency treatment. Authorities have not released further details about the child’s condition but confirmed the injuries required urgent medical care following the crash.

Investigators noted that neither driver was wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision, and preliminary findings also suggest that speed may have been a contributing factor. However, officials emphasized that the exact cause of the crash remains under active review as they continue to analyze all available evidence.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues its investigation, carefully reviewing roadway markings, vehicle positions, and witness statements to determine what led to the fatal left-of-center movement. As the community processes this heartbreaking incident, officials are working to reconstruct the moments leading up to a crash that has left two families mourning and a young passenger fighting to recover.