LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate after three separate fatal crashes happened along the Ohio Turnpike in less than an hour Thursday morning.
Four people were killed and at least 10 were taken to the hospital with varying injuries, according to OSHP. Multiple first responders and turnpike workers were also evaluated and treated for exposure to sulfuric acid related to one of the crashes.
Here's a timeline of what happened:
5:34 a.m.
The first crash happened eastbound on the turnpike at approximately 5:34 a.m. near milepost 49 in Swanton Township, Lucas County.
The crash involved one commercial vehicle and one passenger vehicle. Two people were killed and three others were taken to the hospital with varying levels of injuries.
The commercial vehicle was hauling sulfuric acid which caused a hazmat situation along the turnpike.
5:59 a.m.
The second crash occurred around 5:59 a.m. eastbound near milepost 48 in Swanton Township, Fulton County.
The collision involved four commercial vehicles and one passenger vehicle. One person was killed as a result of this crash and three people were transported to the hospital with injuries.
6:24 a.m.
The third crash happened around 6:24 a.m. in the turnpike's westbound lanes near milepost 50 in Swanton Township, Lucas County.
This crash involved three commercial vehicles and two passenger vehicles, resulting in one fatality and five additional injuries.
11:50 a.m.
OSHP and turnpike officials held a press conference to update the number of victims, crashes and effects of the hazmat situation:
Officials said more than 10 fire departments and over 100 firefighters assisted in the crashes.
3:01 p.m.
All lanes of travel reopened on the turnpike.
4:59 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur has a briefing with National Transportation Safety Board Director Jennifer Homendy regarding the fatal Ohio turnpike collisions and hazmat situation. Kaptur released a statement, reading in part:
"My heart goes out to so many families affected by the loss of life in the tragic turnpike accident that took place today on I-80 in Swanton. Since early this morning my staff and I have been following these events closely, and have been in touch with local law enforcement agencies and government at the local, state, and federal level responding to this collision.
"I have spoken with NTSB Director Homendy and am thankful that she and investigators from her agency will survey the scene in person this evening."
6:34 p.m.
NTSB representatives including Homendy arrived in the area with plans to examine the scene of the crashes. The investigation will be in conjunction with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Friday, Aug. 16
10:47 a.m.
Ohio State Highway Patrol confirms the arrest of a person involved in one of the fatal crashes on Thursday - the third crash of the day that happened near Exit 49.
According to court records, 24-year-old Istam Naimov, of Philadelphia, was arrested by the Ohio State Highway Patrol on Thursday at 6:24 a.m. He was booked at the Lucas County jail shortly after 3 p.m. on charge of aggravated vehicular homicide; vehicular manslaughter: negligently. This charge, a second-degree misdemeanor, was filed in Maumee Municipal Court.
OSHP, who said Naimov was arrested in relation to Thursday's crashes that killed four people and injured several others.
According to OSHP, Naimov was involved in the crash at milepost 50 that involved one commercial vehicle and one passenger vehicle. That crash resulted in the death of one person.
12:05 p.m.
The NTSB announced a news briefing will take place at 4 p.m. WTOL 11 will bring you the press conference live on our free streaming app WTOL11+, on the WTOL 11 YouTube channel, on our website wtol.com and on our free mobile app.
4:23 p.m.
During the news briefing, NTSB Director Jennifer Homendy said a multidisciplinary NTSB team was launched to Swanton to investigate the three crashes and Friday was NTSB's first full day on scene.
The group had a briefing from OHSP and went to crash scenes and tow yards to look at vehicles. The team then split up to gather and document evidence. One team is focused on highway factors such as design of toll plaza, approach, road conditions, infrastructure, design of road, signage, speed limits, crash history and traffic volumes. Another team looks at performance of drivers, medications, health issues, etc. Another team looks at commercial motor carriers, drivers and qualifications.
NTSB is still investigating whether new toll plaza played a role in crash with confusion by driver in initial crash. They will look at damage to vehicles and witness interviews. Witnesses can contact the NTSB by sending an email to witness@ntsb.gov
2:27 p.m.
The Lucas County Coroner has identified three of the four people killed in the series of crashes on the turnpike.
- Ajla Vukovic, a 20-year-old female of Utica, New York
- Dawa Norbu, a 9-year-old male of Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Tenzin Drukgyal, a 46-year-old male of Minneapolis, Minnesota