Crash kills 2 from Johnstown area

PLAIN TOWNSHIP - Two young people from the Johnstown area were remembered Saturday by community members through social media posts after they died in a Friday night crash.

Haley Meadows, 18, and Gregory Long, 20, were northbound when the vehicle they were in crossed into the southbound lane on Johnstown Road in Plain Township near New Albany and struck another car.

Pastor Tom Pound, of Spring Hills Baptist Church in Granville, posted Saturday "Dear Church Family, With a heavy heart, I am writing to let you know of the tragic passing of two of our young adults last evening. Greg Long Jr. and Haley Meadows died from injuries sustained in an auto accident. Both families are part of our church family."

The post went on to say that prayers for the families of the young adults were appreciated and arrangements were being made to celebrate the lives of the youth. Grief counseling for the congregation also was offered.

The Edgewood Equestrian group out of Alexandria posted "It is with extremely heavy hearts we must inform you of the passing of our beloved friend, teammate, photographer, Haley Meadows in a car accident last night. It is a shock and heartbreak that we lost such a kind, sweet soul far too soon ..."

The post went on to say that arrangements were being made and that the Meadows family should be kept in people's "hearts and prayers."

Emma Fete, an instructor with Edgewood Equestrian, said Meadows was a talented young woman who had plans to become a professional photographer.

"She was doing senior pictures and family portraits, but with her love of horses, she loved to do shoots with horses and their riders," Fete said.

Meadows rode with Edgewood Equestrian for 10 years, and she "grew up" with them and was becoming the group's official photographer.

"She was a genuinely sweet and kindhearted soul," Fete said, adding Meadows could bring a calmness to every horse she rode.

Police said Long was driving a 2005 Buick Rendezvous northbound and crossed over into the southbound lane, striking a 2008 Dodge Caliber. Meadows was pronounced dead at the scene. Long was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later.

The driver of the Caliber was Heather Thomas, 33. She was taken to Grant Medical Center in stable condition. Her condition has not been updated since the initial report was released.

10TV reports neither drugs nor alcohol were considered to be factors in the crash and all people involved were wearing seat belts.

Police said the crash remains under investigation.

The Associated Press and 10TV contributed to this report.