11/27/18 - Your News Now at Five
A three-vehicle accident ended up sending one person to the hospital and shutting down Interstate 75.
At 11:41 a.m. multiple crews responded to an accident on I-75 northbound just before the Route 81 exit in Lima. According to the state highway patrol, 43-year-old Albert Morales was transported to Mercy Health and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Morales lost control of his pickup truck, struck the guardrail and came back into traffic where he struck a semi-truck. The Freightliner jackknifed into Morales and struck another vehicle into the guardrail. The semi was carrying tanks of diesel fuel that required the EPAÂ to come out and assist with clean up of the scene.
All northbound lanes were reopened at 3:24Â p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
Media Release: November 27, 2018, on Behalf of Lieutenant Timothy P. Grigsby
Multi-Vehicle Crash Shuts Down I-75 near Lima
Lima – On November 27, near 11:41 a.m., troopers from the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were dispatched to a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 75 near mile-post 127 in Allen County. When troopers arrived on scene the northbound lanes of Interstate 75 were completely blocked by a commercial semi which had jack-knifed, along with two other crashed vehicles.
A 2006 Dodge pickup, driven by Albert Morales, 43, of Columbus Grove, was northbound on Interstate 75 when he lost control, struck a guardrail, and ricocheted back into traffic where he struck a 2017 Freightliner semi, driven by Russell Hardesty, 75, of Wapakoneta. The Freightliner jackknifed and pushed the Dodge pickup into a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria, owned by John Chapman, of Hamilton, Ohio.
Mr. Morales was transported to Mercy Health St. Rita’s Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries. Mr. Chapman and Mr. Hardesty were treated on scene for minor injuries. All occupants wear wearing properly adjusted safety belts.
A significant amount of diesel fuel was spilled during the crash. EPA officials were called to the scene to oversee cleanup efforts, delaying the opening of the interstate for several hours.
There were additional crashes reported as a result of the lengthy traffic backup. Interstate 75 has since reopened and normal traffic flow has resumed. Mr. Morales was cited for failure to control.
The Lima Post was assisted on scene by Bath Township Fire and EMS, Allen County EMA, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Beaverdam Fleet, Kinstle’s Towing and Big Daddy’s Towing services.
The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds motorists to drive carefully during adverse road and weather conditions and to always wear a properly adjusted safety belt.
