AKRON, Ohio — The Akron Police Department says three people have died in separate crashes that took place within 24 hours.
I-76 NEAR ROUTE 8 ENTRANCE RAMP
Police say the first accident, which involved three vehicles, happened around 1:30 p.m. Thursday on I-76 West near the Route 8 entrance ramp.
“Based on the investigation, a Chevy Silverado, driven by a 57-year-old male, was westbound on I-76 under the Hoban walk bridge and passed a vehicle on the right shoulder before swerving back into traffic,” Akron police said in a press release Friday morning. “The Silverado clipped the back corner of a Dodge Ram pickup, driven by a 27-year-old woman, causing it to spin and strike the guardrail.”
The Silverado then went through the median and into the path of a Ford delivery van on I-76 East. The Ford was sideswiped before hitting a guardrail and rolling over, police said.
The Silverado continued off the road, struck a concrete wall. The driver was killed on impact. His name is not being released at this time.
Police say the driver of the Dodge Ram was not hurt, but did have a 7-year-old passenger at Akron Children’s Hospital for medial evaluation. The Ford driver was taken to the hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.
I-76 EAST NEAR LAKESHORE BOULEVARD EXIT RAMP
The second incident happened around 3:35 p.m. on I-76 East near the Lakeshore Boulevard exit ramp.
“During heavy traffic, a Ford box truck stalled out in the center lane,” police said. “The driver of the box truck, a 57-year-old male, got out and placed triangle traffic reflectors out to help alert ongoing traffic. Moments later, a Dodge Neon, driven by a 25-year-old male, approached the area and was unable to stop before striking the rear of the box truck, killing the driver on impact.”
The driver’s name has not been released.
Police say the box truck’s driver was not hurt in the incident as he was out of the vehicle and standing on the side of the road.
“At this time, speed appears to be a factor in the crash,” police said. “It is unknown if alcohol or drugs played a factor at this time.”
200 BLOCK OF EAST NORTH STREET
The third incident happened around 10:35 p.m. Police say officers were dispatched to the 200 block of East North Street in response to a two-vehicle accident, which involved a firetruck.
“Based on preliminary information developed at the scene, the firetruck, Engine 2, was traveling eastbound on East North Street when it appeared that the second vehicle, a Toyota Highlander, traveling westbound, drifted, crossed the yellow line and struck the side of the fire truck,” police said.
The Highlander’s driver, a 29-year-old woman, later died from her injuries at an Akron hospital. Her name has not been released. A 3-year-old child was also taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries, police said.
Fire personnel were not hurt.
“At this time, it is unknown if speed was a factor in the crash,” police said.
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