Rory Hiltner, Rocky Smith Obituary, Death: Two men killed in State Route 13 crash in Licking County

Rory Hiltner, Rocky Smith Obituary, Death – Two people lost their lives in a serious collision that took place on Sunday evening in Licking County, Ohio, according to information released by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The deadly incident occurred just after 6:00 p.m. on June 1 along State Route 13, in the area near Hupp Road, located in the southern part of Licking County. Authorities say that the crash involved two vehicles traveling in opposite directions along the rural highway.

Rory Hiltner, a 68-year-old resident of Newark, was driving a Toyota Highlander heading north on State Route 13. At the same time, Rocky Smith, 42, of Thornville, was traveling southbound on the same roadway. According to state troopers, Smith’s vehicle suddenly veered across the center line into oncoming traffic. This led to a violent head-on collision between the two vehicles.

Emergency responders arrived quickly at the scene of the crash, but tragically, both drivers were pronounced dead where the crash occurred. No passengers were reported in either vehicle, and no additional injuries have been reported at this time.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine what might have caused the southbound vehicle to drift into the northbound lane. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether speed, impairment, distraction, or a medical emergency may have contributed to the deadly incident. An official report has not been finalized, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Local authorities closed off a section of State Route 13 for several hours on Sunday evening as investigators worked at the scene and emergency crews cleared debris from the roadway. The crash caused significant disruption to traffic in the area, which is primarily rural and typically sees lighter vehicle volume during that time of day.

Family members of both victims have been notified. Hiltner, a longtime resident of Newark, and Smith, who lived in Thornville, were each reportedly traveling alone at the time of the collision. No further personal details have been released by authorities regarding either man.

Crashes like this one serve as a grim reminder of how quickly tragedy can unfold on roadways, particularly along rural or two-lane highways where there is little physical separation between opposing traffic lanes. The Ohio State Highway Patrol has not yet released any conclusions about what caused Smith’s vehicle to cross the center line, but they continue to collect evidence and speak with any potential witnesses who may have seen the events leading up to the crash.

Troopers are expected to conduct a full analysis that may include toxicology reports, mechanical inspections of both vehicles, and any available data from vehicle systems that might have recorded speed or other movements prior to the collision. Weather conditions at the time of the crash have not been described as a factor, but investigators are also considering environmental elements as part of their broader review.

The State Highway Patrol encourages anyone who may have been driving in the area around the time of the crash or who may have seen either vehicle prior to the collision to come forward with any information. Even small details, they say, can help provide a clearer picture of what happened in the moments leading up to the deadly incident.

This tragic crash marks yet another fatal event on Ohio’s roadways this year. State officials continue to urge all motorists to remain alert and cautious, particularly on highways where vehicles travel at high speeds and where sudden lane changes or distractions can have devastating consequences. Road safety campaigns regularly stress the importance of staying focused, obeying speed limits, and avoiding impairment while driving.

As the community mourns the loss of two lives, residents of both Newark and Thornville are reminded of how fragile life can be. Friends and family of the victims may gather in the coming days to remember and honor their loved ones. Local officials have not announced any public memorials or services, but both families are expected to release additional details privately.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has stated that more information will be made available as their investigation progresses. For now, they continue to piece together the facts in hopes of providing some answers about what led to the fatal crash that occurred along the stretch of State Route 13 on Sunday evening.

Motorists traveling through the area are encouraged to exercise added caution and be mindful of increased law enforcement presence as the investigation continues.