Elderly Albany Couple Tragically Killed in Collision with State Trooper Cruiser on U.S. Route 50
ATHENS COUNTY, OH — In a devastating incident that has left a community in mourning, an elderly couple from Albany, Ohio, tragically lost their lives following a collision with a marked Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) cruiser on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The crash occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m. along U.S. Route 50 near Fisher Road, a stretch of highway often traveled by both locals and law enforcement.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, preliminary investigations indicate that the couple, whose names have not yet been released pending family notification, were traveling eastbound in their vehicle when they attempted to turn onto Fisher Road. At that moment, a fully marked OSHP cruiser, which was traveling westbound on U.S. 50, collided with the couple’s vehicle. The impact of the crash was severe, and emergency personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Despite the swift response from first responders, the elderly couple was pronounced dead at the scene. The trooper involved in the crash sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation and treatment. Authorities have confirmed that the trooper was on-duty at the time of the incident, though it is not yet clear whether the cruiser was responding to an emergency call when the crash occurred.
As the community of Albany reels from this heartbreaking loss, neighbors and friends have begun to share memories of the couple, describing them as kind-hearted, generous, and deeply rooted in their small-town values. “They were the kind of people who would wave at you from their porch and ask how your family was doing,” one neighbor remarked. “Always smiling, always willing to lend a hand.”
The Athens Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation, in coordination with local law enforcement and accident reconstruction specialists. Officials have stated that a full and thorough review will be conducted to determine the exact circumstances of the crash, including whether speed, visibility, or other contributing factors played a role.
“This is a deeply tragic event, and our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of those who lost their lives,” said a spokesperson for OSHP in a public statement. “The Ohio State Highway Patrol holds itself to the highest standards of accountability, and we are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.”
Traffic on U.S. 50 was diverted for several hours as investigators worked the scene and emergency crews cleared the wreckage. Drivers were urged to find alternate routes and to exercise patience during the closure.
This incident marks a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the dangers that can arise even during routine travel. As Athens County mourns, grief counselors have been made available to the responding officers, community members, and especially those who were closest to the couple.
Funeral arrangements for the victims will be announced in the coming days as the family begins the difficult process of saying goodbye. For now, a community bows its head in sorrow, united in grief and in memory of two lives tragically lost far too soon.