The crash occurred shortly before 9 p.m. along Lithopolis-Winchester Road, just south of Waterloo Road, deputies said.

According to investigators, William S. New, 46, of Canal Winchester, was driving south on the road and was rounding a curve when his vehicle struck the sheriff's cruiser head-on.

New later died at Grant Medical Center in Columbus.  His passenger, Jean Doss, 40, of Bremen, was also transported to Grant.  Investigators said that neither New nor Doss was wearing seat belts.

The sheriff's cruiser was being driven by Kevin D. Long, 48, of Lancaster, who is a mechanic for the sheriff's office.  He was not seriously injured, but his wife, Lorie L. Long, 49, who was riding in the cruiser, was transported to Grant.  Investigators said that she did not wear a seat belt.

The crash remained under investigation, according to deputies.

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