A multi-vehicle crash recently occurred on the Ohio Turnpike. At least four individuals suffered injuries in the crashes, and tragically, one woman lost her life. The accident is still being investigated, and criminal charges against the driver initially suspected of starting the chain reaction crash could be filed.
Around 11:26 a.m., emergency responders — including several fire fighters and an Ohio Turnpike employee — arrived to provide assistance with an unrelated accident. A 27-year-old woman driving an SUV was at a standstill as she waited behind the fire truck. It is unclear whether speed or intoxication is suspected, but a man driving a pickup truck slammed into the rear end of the woman’s SUV. She lost her life in the impact.
The force of the collision caused the fire truck to collide with the Ohio Turnpike vehicle, injuring the driver of that vehicle as well as multiple fire fighters. The car hauler that the pickup truck was towing detached, and it hit two more vehicles that were traveling in another lane. One of those drivers also suffered injuries. The driver of the pickup truck was also injured.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the driver could face criminal charges resulting from the crashes. Additionally, each person that was injured may also consider initiating personal injury lawsuits against the driver. Furthermore, the family of the woman who lost her life will be entitled to pursue a wrongful death suit against the driver. If the suits are successful, the plaintiffs could be rewarded monetarily for the damages they each sustained.
Source: wkbn.com, “Ohio Turnpike reopens after fatal crash“, Nov. 5, 2014