A quiet Sunday evening in the suburban stretch of Hyland Croy Road near Johnston Drive turned into heartbreak for the community of Dublin, Ohio and Lewis Center, Ohio when 17‑year‑old Claudia Phan lost her life in a head‑on crash that left four others injured. The tragedy, happening after 7:24 p.m., has shaken families and friends across Union County.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), Phan was driving a northbound Kia Forte when, for reasons yet undetermined, the vehicle drifted left of center and entered the southbound lane of Hyland Croy. There it collided with a southbound Ford Explorer driven by 37‑year‑old Jason Lyle of Lewis Center. Both cars then veered off the right side of the roadway.
The Kia’s damage was described as catastrophic, and sadly Phan was pronounced dead at the scene as first responders arrived. The impact afforded little hope for life‑saving intervention. Her sudden passing has brought swift sorrow to her school, friends and family.
Jason Lyle sustained serious injuries and was transported to Riverside Methodist Hospital for treatment. Also in his vehicle were front‑seat passenger Ashley Lyle (34) who suffered minor injuries and two young children who were taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital with non‑life‑threatening injuries. The children remain stable and under care.
Investigators from OSHP are now conducting a full reconstruction of the crash scene—reviewing witness statements, assessing vehicle conditions, road surface, visibility and potential distractions. At this time no charges have been filed, and authorities emphasize the investigation will take time.
Hyland Croy Road, a busy commuter route between Dublin and Lewis Center, was shut down for several hours while emergency crews worked the scene, treated injured victims and cleared the wreckage. It remains a stark reminder how a typical drive home can so suddenly become life‑altering.
For the community, the questions linger: What caused Phan to cross into opposing traffic? Was it a vehicle malfunction, a momentary distraction, difficult road conditions or something else entirely? As her friends mourn the loss of a young life full of promise, the others fight to recover—and the broader region pauses, reminded again of the fragility of ordinary nights behind the wheel.
