SOMERSET — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal accident that claimed the life of Somerset Mayor Thomas Johnson late Wednesday night.

The crash occurred shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Rush Creek Road near State Route 13 in Reading Township, Perry County.

According to the Lancaster Post, Johnson, 68, was traveling eastbound on Rush Creek Road when he failed to navigate a curve.

His vehicle veered off the right side of the road, struck a guardrail, descended an embankment, and overturned.

Johnson was transported to Genesis Hospital in Somerset, where he was pronounced dead.

The Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Reading Township Fire Department, and Med-Flight assisted at the scene.