NEWARK — Troopers from the Granville Patrol Post are investigating a fatal accident that took place Friday at 10:53 p.m. on Reynolds Road in Licking County’s Washington Township.
Sixteen-year-old Hannah Gattrell of Newark died after the car she was a passenger in went off the right side of the road and struck a tree. The driver, Spencer Lorenza, 17, Johnstown, was taken to Grant Medical Center by MedFlight. He was listed in fair condition Sunday afternoon.
According to the OSHP, an officer with the Utica Police Department was in pursuit of Lorenza’s vehicle following an altercation at the Utica-Granville football game in Utica on Friday.
Alcohol use is unknown at this time and seatbelts were not in use by the driver or the passenger.
According to Gattrell’s Facebook page, she attended C-Tec of Licking County, loved volleyball and softball and was expected to graduate from Utica High School in 2013.
A memorial page set up in her honor on Facebook stated she was a loving and giving person. “Hannah is wrapped in the arms of our Lord Jesus; she is safe, happy and praying for those to accept Him and join her when they walk through those pearly gates,” stated the webpage.
In a call to the Utica Police Department seeking information regarding the altercation at the high school as well as the pursuit of Lorenza’s vehicle, the News was told information would need to come from UPD Chief Bob Curtis. Curtis will be out of the office until Tuesday.