Two people lost their lives in a one-vehicle crash in the 1600 block of Funderburg Road Wednesday evening.

“The vehicle was southbound on Funderburg Rd., possibly went over a hill, lost control, went off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment and flipped over on its top,” said Lt. Brian Aller of the Ohio State Patrol.

The vehicle landed in a creek bed in about six inches of water.

The Clark County Sheriff’s office was notified by a Funderburg Rd. resident who had heard a crash around 6:30 Wednesday evening. Deputies responded and conducted a thorough search of the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.

“It is unfortunate, but it would have been extremely difficult to see the vehicle in the given conditions,” said Major Chris Clark of the Clark County Sheriff’s office. “There was nothing reflective on the car and no signs of the vehicle exiting the roadway.”

“The vehicle was in a creek, upside down in an overgrown area,” said Aller. “Even with a spotlight, it would have been difficult to find the vehicle.”

The vehicle was located around 8:00 Thursday morning.

The driver was 28-year-old Curtis Standifer of New Carlisle. Standifer had a suspended license and five convictions of driving without a license in the past three years.

His passenger was 26-year-old Jarron “Jasper” Oppy of Medway and was the owner of the vehicle.

Both were wearing seat belts. Weather and road conditions did not appear to be a factor in the crash, since the snow didn’t start until Thursday morning. Speed appears to have been one factor. It is unknown if impairment was a factor.

The Bethel Township Fire Department, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Clark County Emergency Management Agency and the Clark County Coroner’s Office assisted at the scene.

The accident is still under investigation by the Ohio State Patrol.