Updated story with names of people involved.

SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP, Allen County, Ohio (WLIO) — A Lima father and son were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 75 Saturday night in Allen County.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Hurshel Gipson, 52, and his 11-year-old son died in the crash, which happened around 8:15 p.m.. in the northbound lanes just north of the Cridersville exit.

Troopers said Yvio Michel, 53, of Florida, failed to slow down for backed-up traffic caused by another incident and struck multiple vehicles, including another semi.

Gipson and his son were passengers in a vehicle driven by Amanda Gipson. 45. She was taken to Mercy Health with serious injuries.

Kayla Route, 28, of Mason, Ohio, was also taken to Mercy Health with serious injuries after her vehicle was struck.

Ronald Foley, 58, of Michigan, and Michel were taken to Lima Memorial with non-life-threatening injuries. The drivers of the other semi and another vehicle that was damaged were not transported to the hospital.

Interstate 75 was closed for approximately five hours. The crash remains under investigation.

Media Release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol

Fort Shawnee- On February 28, 2026, at approximately 08:15 P.M., the Lima and Wapakoneta Posts of The Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a report of a commercial semi-truck that had struck multiple vehicles backed up on Interstate 75 North, just north of the exit to Cridersville in Fort Shawnee, Allen County.

Yvio Michel, age 53, of Boynton Beach Florida, was driving a 2017 Great Dane semi-truck northbound on Interstate 75. Michel failed to maintain an assured clear distance as he approached backed up traffic and struck four passenger vehicles and another semi-truck. Those struck include; Kayla Route, age 28 of Mason in a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, Ronald Foley, age 58 of Ypsilanti Michigan in a 2022 Ford F-150, Amanda Gipson, age 45 of Lima in a 2015 Buick Enclave, Jason Ford, age 46 of Cincinnati in a 2017 Wabash semi-truck and Cynthia Harter, age 66 of Grand Rapids in a 2014 Mazda CX-9.

Michel and Foley were transported to Lima Memorial Hospital for their non-life-threatening injuries. Route and Gipson were transported to Mercy Health-St.Rita’s for their serious injuries. Gipson was also accompanied by her husband Hurshel, age 52, and their 11-year-old son. Both passengers were pronounced deceased at the scene and were transported to Lima Memorial Hospital.

The roadway was closed for approximately five hours. The Ohio Department of Transportation assisted with creating a detour for northbound traffic.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Lima and Wapakoneta Posts were assisted on scene by; The Allen and Auglaize County Sheriff Offices, Shawnee Fire and EMS, Perry Fire, Lima Fire, Lima-Allen County Paramedics, Cridersville EMS, Mercy EMS, Auglaize County CERT, Auglaize County Emergency Management, Wapakoneta Fire and Police Department and Miller Auto.

The crash remains under investigation.

Original story from 10 pm Feb. 23, 2026

CRIDERSVILLE, Ohio (WLIO) — Two people are confirmed dead after a semitrailer and several vehicles were involved in a crash just after 8 p.m. on Interstate 75.

The crash occurred in the northbound lanes between mile markers 118 and 119 near Cridersville. A sergeant with the Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed two fatalities.

Officials also confirmed that all northbound lanes beyond National Road in Cridersville are closed. This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.