GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol has identified the victims of Monday's fatal crash that took place on State Route 44 in Geauga County.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, troopers received a call just after 11 a.m. about a serious injury crash on SR 44 near Pekin Road. Troopers arrived on scene and located a 2003 Ford Econoline Van and a commercial tractor with a flatbed trailer attached, both with severe front-end damage from an apparent head-on crash.
OSHP Lt. Larry Jones tells 3News that the van involved was a Cuyahoga County Board of Disabilities vehicle, occupied by a driver and six passengers. The driver and four of the passengers died as a result of the crash.
The driver of the van was identified as 62-year-old Darryl J. Barnes of Garfield Heights. The four passengers who also died are Kipp A. Ginn, 47, of Cleveland; Vonda R. Harris, 57, of Cleveland; Rhonda D. Hutchinson, 44, of University Heights; and Ke’Mel B. Jenkins, 28, of Cleveland
Two of the van's passengers, 44-year-old Farron A. Lloyd of Bedford and 45-year-old Carlos L. Hemphill of Cleveland, were transported to University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center for serious injuries. Their conditions are reported to be stable as of Tuesday morning.
The only occupant of the semi truck was the driver, 31-year-old Brett A. Morgan of Geneva. Morgan was transported to University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries
Troopers say the Econoline Van was traveling southbound on SR 44 and the commercial vehicle was traveling northbound. The van traveled left of the center lines and struck the commercial vehicle head-on. It is unknown at this time what caused the van to travel left of center.
The van was carrying passengers from Solutions at Work (Saw, Inc.). The organization's CEO, Judy Carey, provided the following statement to 3News:
“At SAW, we continue to grieve the loss of five of our valued SAW family members. We also keep our thoughts and prayers with the two surviving SAW individuals from the accident for their full recovery, and others involved. We are working closely with the Ohio State Highway Patrol as they continue to investigate this tragic accident. SAW, Inc. is a long-time partner with Cuyahoga DD and service provider to adults with developmental disabilities. Those involved in the accident were part of a mobile work crew that provided custodial services to our partner businesses. This mobile crew have been long time dedicated, hardworking, proud workers. We ask that members of the media and others please respect the privacy of the families of those involved during this difficult time.”
The crash remains under investigation.
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