The Champaign County community is mourning the tragic loss of Eldon Luttrell, a 73-year-old resident of Saint Paris, Ohio, who was killed in a single-vehicle accident late Monday night in Jackson Township.

The Champaign County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Luttrell died at the scene of the crash, which took place around 10:19 p.m. on September 15, 2025, along Runkle Road, just east of Slack Road.

Details of the Crash

According to a preliminary report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Springfield Post, Luttrell had been driving a Chrysler when his vehicle left the roadway for reasons that remain under investigation. The car veered off course and ultimately entered a pond, where it came to rest.

Emergency crews worked for hours to remove the vehicle from the water by mechanical means. Despite the efforts of first responders, Luttrell could not be saved.

Emergency Response

The accident prompted a large-scale emergency response from several local agencies. The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office, the Champaign County Coroner’s Office, the Christiansburg Fire Company, the JSP Fire District, and Wooten Automotive & Towing all assisted at the scene.

Officials have not yet released further details on what may have caused Luttrell’s vehicle to leave the roadway, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.

Community Impact

News of Luttrell’s passing has deeply saddened the Saint Paris community, where he was known as a kind and hardworking man. Friends, neighbors, and loved ones are now grappling with the suddenness of his loss, remembering him as someone who contributed greatly to those around him.

For now, investigators are working to piece together what led to the crash while the community reflects on the life of a man whose presence will be sorely missed.