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Fatal hit-and-run on I-77 in Tuscarawas County: Ohio State Highway Patrol seeks semi-truck driver involved

Police are looking for the driver of a red semi that was pulling a flatbed trailer on I-77 near Strasburg on Oct. 24.

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is looking for the driver of a semi-truck connected to a fatal hit-skip that took place in Tuscarawas County last month. 

According to an OSHP press release, the incident took place on Oct. 24, at approximately 11:40 a.m. 

ODOT video near Strasburg shows a red semi-truck heading north on I-77 in the right lane. Seconds behind him is Alsept in a white Kia SUV, heading home from the store in the left lane. The crash happened just out of the view of the camera but according to OSHP, the driver of the semi cut across the left lane in front of Alsept to make a U-turn through the median, causing Alsept to slam into its trailer. 

The driver of the second vehicle, 78-year-old Dennis Alsept, of Bolivar, was taken to Aultman Hospital with serious injuries. He died as a result of those injuries on Oct. 31.

The family of Alsept is now asking for the public's help in finding the driver of the semi.

“We want justice. We want this driver found,” the victim’s son-in-law Andy Donaldson said.

Donaldson and his family are reminded of what happened in the northbound lanes of I-77 every day after the loss of 78-year-old Dennis Alsept, a father, grandfather and great grandfather.

“He cares about his family, he loves his family and we’re all very hurt with him not here anymore,” Donaldson said.

“We just heard he got pretty banged up. His ribs were hurting from the impact,” Donaldson remembers.

Alsept was released to nursing care a few days later but then returned to the hospital after his condition got worse, Donaldson said. He died one week after the crash on October 31.

“Because of the injuries that were sustained in that accident dad is no longer here. My wife doesn’t have her father. My kids and grandkids don’t have their grandpa,” Donaldson said.

Just as upsetting for the family is what happened after the crash. ODOT video shows the semi driver make it into the southbound lanes after the U-turn but then pull off to the right shoulder. The driver sits there for over a minute, then takes off before first responders arrive.

“Terrible. It’s such a senseless thing that occurred,” Donaldson said. “Shock, pain, hurt. After I got a copy of the ODOT video and seeing what had occurred, anger. Frustration.”

Alsept’s death came just a few months after his wife of 57 years passed away. Now the family is hoping for answers and some closure.

“If you are the driver, if you know the driver, please come forward,” Donaldson said. “Dad would still be here today had that individual made a better choice.”

OSHP revealed that they have gathered evidence showing the semi traveling east on U.S. 250 through Apple Creek (at 11:07 a.m.), Mt. Eaton (at 11:18 a.m.), Wilmot and Strasburg (at 11:36 a.m.) before entering I-77 north. Officials also revealed that the semi has an after-market chrome front bumper and grille. The bumper has lights that line the bottom. The sleeper portion of the vehicle has two tinted windows at the top and there is white lettering on the doors. The load on the trailer appeared to be a black metal pipe.

The New Philadelphia Post of the OSHP asks anyone with information regarding the incident to contact them at 330-339-1103. 

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