(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

On Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 07:55 AM, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a two-vehicle injury crash on SR 235 south of TR 27 in Orange Township.

It was learned that Gabriel Gratz, 30 yoa, of Ada, Ohio was traveling north on SR 235 in a 1998 Honda Civic. Gabriel entered the southbound lane of SR 235 and struck a southbound vehicle head-on. The southbound vehicle was being operated by Nicole Neely, 32 yoa of Waterville, Ohio.

Gabriel was pronounced dead at the scene by Ada-Liberty EMS.

Nicole was transported by Ada-Liberty EMS to St. Rita’s Medical Center with serious injuries.

Ada-Liberty Township Fire Department, Ada-Liberty Township EMS, Hanco EMS, Bluffton

EMS, Southwestern Hancock Joint Fire District, Ada Police Department, Hancock County EMA,

Ed’s Towing and R&A Towing assisted at the scene.