RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO, Ohio — An investigation is underway after two people died and five others were injured following a five-vehicle crash in Richland County that left all lanes of I-71 North closed for approximately nine hours Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
Ohio State Highway Patrol officials say the deadly crash happened on Wednesday at around 10:49 p.m. on I-71 near milepost 159 in Perry Township.
According to a preliminary investigation, a 60-year-old man driving a Nissan Rogue struck a deer, which caused the SUV's hood to come unlatched, blocking the windshield.
Moments later, authorities say a Freightliner commercial tractor-trailer swerved to avoid the Nissan as it was slowing down after hitting the deer.
Ohio State Highway Patrol officials say the driver then "drove off the left side of the roadway, through the median, and into the northbound lanes, where his tractor-trailer struck a northbound Chevrolet Uplander and a Ford Escape."
In addition, another Freightliner commercial tractor-trailer struck the first truck involved and overturned in the northbound lanes.
The driver of the Chevrolet Uplander, Shawna Smith, 60 of Mansfield, and the driver of the Ford Escape, Ronald Smith, 62, of Fairlawn, were pronounced dead on the scene.
In addition, the following individuals sustained minor injuries and were transported by ambulance to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital:
- Driver of Nissan: 60-year-old man from Lewis Center
- Passenger of Nissan: 51-year-old woman from Lewis Center
- Driver of first Freightliner involved: 28-year-old man from Coon Rapids, Minnesota
- Driver of second Freightliner involved: 43-year-old man from Jacksonville, Florida
- Passenger of second Freightliner involved: 41-year-old man from Jacksonville, Florida
After I-71 North was completely closed for several hours near state Route 95 in Richland County due to the crash, ODOT posted that the left two lanes had reopened at 8:15 a.m.
Drivers who encountered the closure were being detoured via Route 95 northbound to Route 13 back to I-71.
3News had a crew in the area where we captured the following video from the scene of the crash:
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County Coroner’s Office, Bellville Police Department, Jefferson Township Fire Department, Troy Township Fire Department, Washington Township Fire Department, Johnsville Fire Department, Mike’s Towing & Repair, Laurence's Towing & Repair and Westside Towing.
Here are previous updates from ODOT about the crash:
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