Otterbein student dies in Licking County crash

THORNVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – Otterbein University and residents of Licking County are in mourning after a 19-year-old was killed in a car crash.

Joshua Taylor, a sophomore who was on the wrestling team at Otterbein, died after a car crash in Licking County on Jan. 2.

In a social media post, the Cardinals wrestling team said, “This is a post no coach ever wants to make. In a heartbreaking start to 2025 we have lost sophomore wrestling Fam1ly member Josh Taylor to a fatal car accident today. Please keep his parents Melissa and Andy and Josh’s siblings in your thoughts during this very difficult time. … Hug your loved ones tonight.”

Taylor went 13-9 in 2024 and was named most improved wrestler on the team. He also earned over 100 career high school victories at Lakewood and helped it win a Licking County League championship as a junior, when he was named a state alternate his senior season. He graduated from high school in 2023.

The Thornville resident also played football and ran track for the Lancers and was a sports management/education major at Otterbein.

Visitation hours will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Brucker and Kishler, a funeral home on North 21st Street in Newark.

NBC4 has reached out to the Licking County Sheriff's Office for additional information on the crash.