SWANTON, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) – Four people are dead and 10 others are hospitalized after a series of accidents on the Ohio Turnpike Thursday morning.
Traffic was blocked in both directions for hours.
According to officials, police investigated at least three traffic accidents along the Ohio Turnpike near the Lucas County-Fulton County line on August 15.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, four people died from injuries sustained in the accidents.
The Lucas County Coroner’s Office identified three of the victims as 20-year-old Ajla Vukovic of Uticia, New York, 9-year-old Dawa Norbu of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and 46-year-old Tenzin Drukgyal of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The fourth victim has yet to be identified. A GoFundMe campaign is being set up to help cover Vukovic’s funeral costs.
At least 10 other people were taken to area hospitals for their injuries, according to Springfield Township Fire Chief Randy Miller.
According to officials, the first major crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. in the eastbound lanes of the turnpike in Swanton Township near mile marker 48, bringing traffic to a standstill.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a Toyota was approaching the toll plaza when it slowed down for unknown reasons. A large truck carrying hazardous materials struck the rear of the car. The Toyota veered off the right side of the highway, struck a concrete barrier and overturned, releasing the hazardous materials.
Officials said two people died in the accident and three others were hospitalized.
The second accident occurred just before 6:00 a.m. near milepost 49 in Fulton Township, Fulton County. That accident left one person dead and several others injured. According to police, one of the vehicles involved was a tractor-trailer carrying sulfuric acid, which triggered a hazardous materials response. Authorities have not released any information on the possible cause of the accident.
A third crash occurred just before 6:30 a.m. near mile marker 50.8 in Swanton Township. One person died in that crash, and several others were injured in the final crash.
A Philadelphia man faces charges after authorities say he caused the last of the three crashes. Naimov Istam is charged with vehicular manslaughter, a second-degree misdemeanor, and speeding for his involvement in the crash in the westbound lanes.
The motorway was reopened to traffic at around 3 p.m., almost 10 hours after the first accident. Following the accidents, hazardous materials teams were on the motorway to clean up sulfuric acid, acetone and methanol.
More than 100 first responders and 10 different authorities arrived on site.
The head of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission released a statement thanking first responders and local authorities involved in the rescue and cleanup efforts.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. We wish a speedy recovery to those injured,” said Ferzan M. Ahmed, executive director of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission. “We also commend the Ohio State Highway Patrol, first responders, law enforcement, local safety/medical authorities and Ohio Turnpike employees for their professionalism and rescue efforts at multiple accident scenes.”
The NTSB announced that it would send a “go team” to conduct a safety investigation into the crash.
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