Driver Drops Doughnut — Then Slams Into Traffic

It started with a sweet treat — and ended in a wreck that shut down a rural Ohio road for hours on what seemed like a typical Wednesday morning. A moment of distraction turned into a chain-reaction crash that sent multiple people to the hospital and left one driver seriously injured.

1 Doughnut, 3 Cars

At approximately 7:30 a.m., emergency crews in Geauga County were dispatched to the intersection of Rock Creek and Dewey Roads after reports of a three-vehicle collision. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), heavy damage was sustained by all cars.

The driver who initiated the crash, Nicholas Fleming, told troopers he was reaching for his coffee when he dropped his doughnut and lost control of the vehicle.

Fleming's car reportedly veered left of center, striking two oncoming vehicles traveling westbound.

Emergency Response

Multiple fire departments, including Thompson, Hambden, Leroy Township, and Montville, responded to the chaotic scene. First responders found one person trapped in a vehicle, requiring extrication. Two individuals were transported to University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. A third patient declined transport after being treated at the scene.

One driver, reportedly in the third vehicle, sustained more serious injuries, including four broken ribs, a fractured wrist, and a broken knee, according to Trooper William Head of OSHP's Chardon Post.

What's Next for the Doughnut Dropper?

Fleming was cited at the scene for his role in the crash. Authorities emphasized that the cause was distracted driving, and the case remains under the oversight of OSHP. No criminal charges have been filed at this time, and the investigation is ongoing. The road remained closed for about three hours while troopers worked at the scene.

This incident reminds us that even a brief glance away from the road — whether for coffee or a snack — can have serious consequences.

References:Driver Drops Doughnut, Causes Multi-Car Crash | Major Crash in Ohio After Driver Drops Treat | Crash in Thompson Caused by Doughnut Distraction