In Loving Memory of Adam Cornelison

In Loving Memory of Adam Cornelison

The communities of Zanesville and Duncan Falls are united in grief following the tragic loss of 18-year-old Adam Cornelison, whose young life was cut short in a devastating head-on collision on Saturday afternoon. What should have been an ordinary February day became one marked forever by sorrow, heartbreak, and the unimaginable pain of lives taken far too soon.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 3:00 p.m. on State Route 60. A 2025 Honda CR-V, operated by Bradley Stanley of Newark, was traveling northbound when it was struck head-on by a southbound 2010 Mercury Milan that crossed left of center. Adam Cornelison, the driver of the Mercury and a resident of Duncan Falls, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two passengers in the Honda were transported with critical injuries to Genesis Hospital, where they later tragically passed away.

At just 18 years old, Adam stood at the very beginning of adulthood — a chapter filled with promise, ambition, and dreams waiting to unfold. Whether he was planning for college, work, or new adventures in life, his future stretched wide before him. Those who knew Adam describe him as a young man full of personality and heart. He carried both youthful energy and quiet determination, traits that left a lasting impression on friends, classmates, and neighbors alike.

To his family, Adam was a beloved son — a source of pride, laughter, and unconditional love. He was a brother, a relative, a friend whose presence filled rooms and whose absence now feels immeasurable. The loss of someone so young carries a unique and profound ache — not only for who they were, but for all they were destined to become.

In small, close-knit communities like Duncan Falls and Zanesville, tragedy touches everyone. The news of the crash has left classmates reflecting, teachers remembering, and neighbors offering comfort to one another. There is a shared heaviness in the air — the kind that comes when a life full of potential is suddenly gone.

Adam’s passing also reminds us of life’s fragility. In a single moment, everything can change. And yet, even in grief, there is gratitude — gratitude for the memories created, the laughter shared, the love given and received in his 18 years.

As loved ones gather to remember him, stories will be told of his humor, his passions, his unique way of seeing the world. These stories will keep his spirit alive. Though his journey here was brief, his impact will endure in the hearts of those who knew him.

The entire community continues to lift Adam’s family in prayer and support during this unimaginably difficult time. May they find comfort in one another, strength in cherished memories, and peace in knowing that Adam was deeply loved.

In loving memory of Adam Cornelison — may his soul rest in eternal peace. May his life be remembered not for the tragedy that ended it, but for the light, promise, and love he brought into the world.