In the early hours of Sunday, October 6, 2024, a devastating crash on State Route 28 in Clermont County claimed the lives of five people, leaving a small Ohio community reeling from the tragedy. The crash, which occurred near Edenton Pleasant Plain Road at approximately 1:43 a.m., involved two vehicles: a 2005 Chrysler 300 and a 2007 Subaru Legacy. The impact of the crash was so severe that all five victims were pronounced dead at the scene by the Clermont County Coroner’s Office, while another young survivor, Ayden Taylor, remains in critical condition.
The victims of this heart-wrenching accident have now been identified as Mathew Penny, 25, who was driving the Chrysler, Chloe Love, 19, Dezmen Jernigan, 18, who were passengers in Penny’s vehicle; and Dustin McDole, 43, and Andrea Iery, 42, who were traveling in the Subaru. The collision has sparked an outpouring of grief from friends, family members, and the local community, while also raising questions about the circumstances that led to such a deadly outcome.
The Tragic Collision
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, which is leading the investigation, has released preliminary details on the tragic sequence of events. According to their report, the crash occurred when McDole, who was driving the Subaru, attempted to cross State Route 28 from Edenton Pleasant Plain Road. At the same time, Penny, behind the wheel of the Chrysler, was traveling northeast on State Route 28. The two vehicles collided violently, sending both cars careening off the north side of the road into a nearby ditch.
Kenneth May, a local resident who witnessed the crash, described the scene as something out of a “Hollywood movie,” recounting how the Chrysler, which was traveling at a high speed, struck the Subaru with such force that it caused a “loud explosion.” The crash was over in an instant, but its impact reverberated through the quiet community of Pleasant Plain and beyond.
The Victims
The news of the accident has been especially hard for the loved ones of the five victims, each of whom had their lives cut tragically short in the early morning hours of October 6th.
- Mathew Penny, 25, the driver of the Chrysler, has been remembered by his family and friends as a kind-hearted and determined young man. A resident of Lockland, Ohio, Penny was reportedly working to build a future for himself and had recently celebrated a milestone in his personal life. His tragic death has left his family shattered, with his brother Michael Penny expressing his profound grief in a social media post, stating, “My right-hand man was taken from me on 5/23/24, and now my left hand was taken from me on 10/6/24.”
- Chloe Love, 19, a passenger in the Chrysler, was a young woman filled with promise and loved by all who knew her. A recent graduate of Milford Senior High School, Chloe was described by her friends and family as someone who had a “bright future ahead of her.” A GoFundMe page set up in her honor expressed the grief and disbelief of those who knew her: “Chloe was taken from this earth far too soon. She had the most infectious laugh and touched the lives of everyone she met.”
- Dezmen Jernigan, 18, another passenger in Penny’s Chrysler, was just starting his life as a young adult. Friends recall Dezmen as someone who was full of energy, always willing to help others, and deeply committed to his family. His death has left those who knew him struggling to cope with the shock of losing someone so young and full of potential.
- Dustin McDole, 43, the driver of the Subaru, and Andrea Iery, 42, a passenger in the same vehicle, were both wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, according to police reports. McDole and Iery had been close companions for many years, and their families are now grappling with the sudden and tragic loss of both individuals in a single, unimaginable event. Those who knew McDole describe him as a hardworking man who was dedicated to his family and community, while Iery was known for her compassion and kindness toward others.
The Survivor
In addition to the five lives lost, 18-year-old Ayden Taylor, a passenger in Penny’s Chrysler, miraculously survived the crash but remains in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Taylor’s survival is considered nothing short of a miracle, given the severity of the crash and the fact that four others in the Chrysler perished. As his family waits for updates on his condition, they, like the families of the deceased, are left grappling with the emotional aftermath of such a horrific incident.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
As the Ohio State Highway Patrol continues its investigation into the deadly crash, several key questions remain unanswered, including the exact cause of the crash and whether speed, impairment, or other factors played a role. While the police have confirmed that both McDole and Iery were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, they have not yet provided details about whether Penny, Love, Jernigan, or Taylor were using seatbelts.
The investigation will likely involve a detailed analysis of the vehicles’ conditions, potential mechanical failures, and an assessment of road conditions at the time of the crash. Toxicology reports on both drivers may also play a critical role in determining whether alcohol or drugs were involved, though no official statement has been made regarding impairment.
Law enforcement is also working to reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash to better understand how McDole’s Subaru came to cross Penny’s path on State Route 28. It remains unclear whether McDole misjudged the speed of the oncoming Chrysler or if Penny’s speed was so excessive that McDole had little time to react.
In addition to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, other local agencies, including the Goshen Police Department, Goshen Township Fire & EMS, Warren County EMS, and Loveland-Symmes Township EMS, all responded to the scene in an effort to provide assistance and manage the investigation. The Clermont County Coroner’s Office has also been involved, conducting autopsies to determine the exact cause of death for each victim.
A Community in Mourning
The crash has sent shockwaves through Clermont County, with many community members struggling to come to terms with the magnitude of the loss. For a small, tight-knit community like Pleasant Plain, the deaths of five individuals in a single incident is nothing short of devastating. Friends and family members of the victims have begun organizing vigils and memorial services to honor the lives lost in the crash, with many expressing their disbelief that such a tragedy could occur in their otherwise quiet and peaceful town.
Kenneth May, the man who witnessed the crash from his porch, spoke for many when he said that the crash was “something you never expect to see.” As he and others in the community try to process the traumatic events of that morning, they are left with lingering questions about how such a horrific accident could have happened and what, if anything, could have been done to prevent it.
Looking Ahead
As the investigation unfolds, the families of the victims are left to mourn their loved ones and seek answers about what led to the tragic events of October 6th. While no amount of investigation can bring back the lives that were lost, those affected by the crash hope that a clearer understanding of the cause can help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The crash that claimed the lives of Mathew Penny, Chloe Love, Dezmen Jernigan, Dustin McDole, and Andrea Iery has left a profound impact not only on their families but also on the broader Clermont County community. As friends, neighbors, and loved ones come together to remember those lost, the pain of their absence will undoubtedly be felt for years to come. For now, the focus remains on healing, supporting the survivors, and finding justice for the five individuals who lost their lives too soon on that fateful morning.
