Matthew Juniper Obituary, Death; – An off-duty police officer from Ohio tragically lost his life in a golf cart accident over the weekend, according to officials.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol informed CBS affiliate WBNS that Matthew Juniper suffered fatal injuries in a golf cart incident on Saturday at approximately 2 a.m. in Wellston, located in Jackson County. The 25-year-old served as an officer with the Wellston Police
Department, as stated in a Facebook announcement from the department.
“Matt was genuinely one of a kind, embodying everything one would desire in a police officer and more,” the post from Sunday expressed. “He was compassionate and fair, diligent and committed to his profession, enjoyable to collaborate with, and a delight to be around.”
Authorities indicated that the accident occurred when the golf cart was struck from behind by a Hyundai driver on South Pennsylvania Avenue, near the intersection with Sixth Street. The impact caused the golf cart to veer off the road and collide with a tree, as reported by WBNS, citing law enforcement sources.
Juniper, who was a passenger in the golf cart, was transported to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The identity of the golf cart driver has not been disclosed, but they were airlifted to a hospital in West Virginia, according to the television station. The severity of their injuries has not been made public.
The Hyundai driver, whose identity also remains unknown, reportedly suffered minor injuries. No further details regarding the accident have been released.
Juniper became a member of the Wellston Police Department in 2021, and he “integrated seamlessly like a seasoned veteran,” the department noted on Facebook.
“Matt was undoubtedly an asset to the City of Wellston and its residents. He will be profoundly missed by everyone on our team and within our community,” the post further stated.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
