PRESS RELEASE

On Friday, May 22, 2026, at 11:04 P.M., Darke County Deputies, along with Tri-Village Rescue and New Madison Fire Department responded to the intersection of US 127 and Hogpath Rd. in Neave Township regarding a two vehicle traffic crash with injuries.

Investigation revealed a 2019 Silver Subaru Forester, driven by Allison Merritt(38) of Pleasant Hill, OH, was stopped at a posted stop sign on Hogpath Rd. at US 127. Merritt failed to yield the right of way, traveling Eastbound into the pathway of a Southbound 2021 Black Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Anthony Gostomsky(54) with his front seat passenger, Amy Gostomsky(59), both of Arcanum, OH.

Mr. Gostomsky struck Ms. Merritt in the driver side rear of her vehicle, causing her to go off the road to the right of Hogpath Rd., before striking a utility pole. Mr. Gostomsky then traveled off the road to the left of US 127 before striking a different utility pole.

Mr. and Mrs. Gostomsky refused medical treatment on scene. Merritt was transported by Tri-Village Rescue to Wayne Hospital where she’s being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Merritt was issued a citation for Failure to Yield the Right of Way at a Stop Sign.