Chase Hartley Injured in St. Clair Township Car Accident
The collision occurred Monday morning on State Route 7 near mile post 5.
Chase Hartley, 24, of East Liverpool, was in critical condition Monday, March 30, 2026, when his car crashed into a stopped school bus on State Route 7 in St. Clair Township. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Hartley’s 2009 Ford Escape was driving south when it hit the back of a Beaver Local school bus. The bus had stopped behind another bus to pick up students near mile post 5. Hartley was trapped inside his vehicle and had to be freed using the Jaws of Life. A Stat MedEvac helicopter airlifted him to Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, where he was listed in critical condition. No students or the bus driver were injured in the crash. The children transferred to another bus to continue their trip to school. Troopers from the Lisbon Post said drugs and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash. The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office, St. Clair Township Police Department, Calcutta Fire/EMS, West Point Fire/EMS, Glenmoor Fire/EMS, and Calcutta Towing assisted at the scene. The crash closed State Route 7 for several hours while investigators cleared the scene. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
Police are working to determine the crash timeline. Firefighters used hydraulic tools to remove Hartley from the car. Troopers said the car driver's failure to maintain an assured clear distance ahead was a main cause of the rear-end collision. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that rear-end crashes are common. These crashes can be more serious when a smaller vehicle hits the back of a stopped school bus or truck. When school buses and other heavy vehicles are involved in crashes, the legal process often includes looking at electronic data and mechanical inspections. Attorney Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, said that "The first few days after an accident are the most important for physical recovery, but they are also critical for preserving evidence, as fatal accidents and major injury crashes often happen because of a 'system failure' in road design or vehicle maintenance." Investigators confirmed that no students or staff on the bus were hurt. This means the investigation can focus on the Ford Escape's mechanics and the conditions at the time of the 8:18 a.m. crash. Police and fire departments from six areas helped at the scene. This shows the size of the emergency response needed for the medical helicopter operation.
Under Ohio’s personal injury framework, individuals injured in collisions involving commercial vehicles may pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering through a civil tort claim. Ohio operates under a "matching" modified comparative fault system (R.C. § 2315.33), which allows a plaintiff to recover damages as long as their percentage of fault is not greater than the combined tortious conduct of all other persons involved. Attorney Candice Bond of Bond Legal noted that "In many states, the rules for a fatal crash or serious injury involve a 'comparative fault' system, which means both drivers can share a percentage of the blame for a crash, and if a driver is found to be more than half at fault in some locations, it can change what kind of help is available for their recovery." When a commercial entity is involved, such as a school district or private carrier, additional layers of liability and sovereign immunity statutes may apply depending on the nature of the entity. Victims typically have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit under Ohio’s statute of limitations (R.C. § 2305.10). An investigation into commercial maintenance records and driver telematics is often necessary to determine if mechanical failure or systemic safety violations contributed to the impact.