Local News
18-year-old Fairmont High School student Ta’nyah Pittman Killed in Robeson County Crash
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities are investigating a deadly single-vehicle crash in Robeson County that claimed the life of an 18-year-old Fairmont High School student Saturday evening.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, troopers responded to the crash on Lizzie Road near Iona Church Road, west of Fairmont, shortly after it occurred.
First Sgt. S.B. Lewis said an on-scene investigation determined that a 2013 Kia was traveling westbound on Lizzie Road when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway for reasons still under investigation.
Authorities said the vehicle struck a ditch before overturning multiple times.
Following the violent rollover, the car came to rest upside down in a nearby field.
Troopers identified the front-seat passenger as 18-year-old Ta’nyah Lynn Pittman of Fairmont.
Investigators said Pittman was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was partially ejected through the vehicle’s sunroof during the rollover.
Emergency personnel with Robeson County EMS pronounced Pittman dead at the scene. Her body was later transported to UNC Health Southeastern.
The driver of the Kia suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to McLeod Regional Medical Center for treatment.
Authorities have not publicly released the driver’s identity.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said charges are pending as investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
The deadly rollover accident remains under active investigation.
Local News
Megan Mazzoleni, 29, Killed in Head-On Crash on Edwards Ridge Road in Tuscarawas County, Ohio
TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, Ohio — A devastating head-on collision in Rush Township claimed the life of 29-year-old Megan Mazzoleni of Gnadenhutten and left three other people, including two young children, needing emergency medical care.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:52 a.m. on November 2 along Edwards Ridge Road, south of Ridge Road. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the collision involved a Ford Focus and a Kia Telluride traveling in opposite directions.
The tragic incident has left families facing an unimaginable loss while the injured victims receive medical attention.
According to the Highway Patrol, Mazzoleni was driving southbound in a Ford Focus with a 6-year-old boy seated in the back. The child was reportedly properly secured with a seat belt.
At the same time, 43-year-old Shanon Matsel of Port Washington was traveling northbound in a Kia Telluride. A second 6-year-old boy was riding in the back seat of her vehicle and was also properly restrained.
Investigators reported that the Ford Focus traveled left of center and struck the Kia Telluride head-on.
The collision caused severe damage and left occupants requiring assistance from emergency crews.
Mazzoleni was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Authorities reported that she became trapped inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by rescue personnel.
Despite the emergency response, she suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Tuscarawas County Coroner.
Her death at just 29 years old is a heartbreaking loss for her family, friends and everyone who knew her. A life that held so much possibility was cut short in a sudden and devastating collision.
Matsel, who was wearing a seat belt, also had to be extricated from her vehicle by emergency responders.
She was transported to Union Hospital by Uhrichsville EMS for medical treatment. Further details about the severity of her injuries were not provided in the available report.
Both 6-year-old boys involved in the crash were also transported for emergency medical care. Due to the seriousness of the situation, medical helicopters flew the children to Akron Children’s Hospital.
The children had reportedly been properly secured in their respective vehicles. Their conditions have not been disclosed in the information provided.
Several emergency and support agencies responded to the crash, including the Arrowhead and Uhrichsville fire departments, emergency medical personnel, towing crews and the Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office.
Their response involved assisting the trapped occupants, providing medical care and managing the aftermath of the collision.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that drugs and alcohol are not suspected as contributing factors in the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
According to the preliminary information, the Ford Focus crossed left of center before striking the Kia Telluride. Authorities have not provided additional details about what caused the vehicle to leave its lane.
The loss of Megan Mazzoleni is a painful reminder of how quickly a routine morning can turn into a life-changing tragedy.
At just 29, she had so much life ahead of her. Her sudden death has left loved ones grieving and facing a future without someone who mattered deeply to them.
Thoughts and prayers are also with Shanon Matsel and the two young boys as they receive medical care and begin the difficult process of recovery.
May Megan Mazzoleni rest in eternal peace. May her family and friends find strength and comfort during this heartbreaking time, and may Shanon and both children make a full recovery.