LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio — Two people are dead following a crash on the Ohio Turnpike late Tuesday night, and police suspect the driver at fault may have been "impaired."
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a disabled Ford F-350 was being helped off the right shoulder of the Ohio Turnpike near mile post 132 in Henrietta Township by an Interstate Towing of Norwalk pickup truck around 11:23 p.m. The truck driver and the Ford driver vehicle were attempting to load two jet skis from the Ford's trailer when a Chevrolet 2500 pickup suddenly came off the road and hit them.
The Chevy launched itself into the air and landed on its top, sustaining heavy damage along with the two truck. Both the Ford driver—45-year-old Darren Hebner of Mentor—and the tow truck driver—42-year-old Eric Ackerman of Sandusky—died from the injuries as the scene.
The 30-year-old Chevy driver from Bellevue was taken to Lorain Hospital with minor injuries. While 3News is not releasing his name at this time as no criminal charges have been filed, authorities believe he was somehow "impaired" and that he was also not wearing a seat belt.
"The patrol reminds you to never drive impaired and to always wear a seatbelt," the OSHP said in a statement. "Furthermore, drivers are reminded to move over for a vehicle stopped on the shoulder with emergency lights flashing and if you cannot move over, you must slow down."
The crash remains under investigation. The portion of the turnpike near the collision was restricted for about five hours before reopening this morning.
