SANDUSKY, Ohio — A special funeral was held on Saturday for a Sandusky tow truck driver who lost his life on the Ohio Turnpike.
42-year-old Eric Ackerman was assisting another car late Tuesday when he was struck and killed. 45-year-old Darren Hebner, a Mentor resident and the man that Ackerman was assisting on the tow service call, was also struck by the same vehicle and also passed away from his injuries.
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According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a disabled Ford F-350 driven by Hebner was helped off the right shoulder of the Ohio Turnpike near mile post 132 in Henrietta Township around 11:20 p.m.. Ackerman and Hebner 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 30-year-old Chevy driver from Bellevue was taken to Lorain Hospital with minor injuries. Authorities believe he was somehow "impaired" and that he was also not wearing a seat belt. The crash remains under investigation. The portion of the turnpike near the collision was restricted for about five hours before reopening.
A parade of tow trucks and public safety vehicles took part in a special procession on Saturday starting at the Erie County Fairgrounds and continuing to the funeral home. Traffic control at key intersections along the route was provided by the Sandusky and Perkins Township Police Departments, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Erie County Sheriff's deputies.
PHOTOS | Towing and public safety vehicles hold procession for Sandusky driver fatally struck on Ohio Turnpike
