RILEY TOWNSHIP, OH (Toledo News Now) - One person is dead after a multiple-vehicle crash westbound on the Ohio Turnpike at mile marker 94 just before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The crash happened about four miles east of the Fremont/Port Clinton exit in a single-lane construction zone. The Ohio State Highway Patrol says five vehicles were involved: three semi-trucks and two cars.
The OSHP says Larry Evans in a semi-trailer, Walter Mozzochi in a Chevrolet Silverado, and Larry Centra hauling two semi-trailers, were slowing and stopping in a construction zone on the turnpike. As Angelo Muscarello III approached in a semi-trailer, he was unable to stop and struck Centra in the rear. Centra's vehicle was then pushed into Mozzochi's, and Mozzochi's was pushed into Evans'. Paul Shoff in a Ford F-150 then struck the rear of Muscarello's vehicle. This final collision killed the front passenger in the F-150, Erwin Kuhns Jr., of Middlefield, OH.
Evans, of Slippery Rock, PA, was uninjured in the crash.
Mozzochi, of Homeworth, OH, sustained non-incapacitating injuries and was transported to a Fremont hospital.
Centra, of Grampain, PA, was uninjured in the crash.
Muscarello, of York, ME, sustained minor injuries and was treated by EMS at the scene.
Shoff, of Warren, OH, sustained non-incapacitating injuries and was transported from the scene to a Fremont hospital. Rear passenger Albert Kurtz, of Middlefield, OH, was uninjured in the crash. The other rear passenger, David Kuhns, also of Middlefield, OH, sustained non-incapacitating injuries and was transported from the scene to a Fremont hospital.
As a result of the crash, both fuel tanks of Muscarello's semi-trailer were punctured, causing an estimated 140 gallons of fuel to leak. However, the fuel spill was contained before entering any drainage or waterways.
Traffic on the turnpike had to be diverted to the single left lane of the construction zone, which caused a major back-up. As crews cleared the scene, the highway had to be shut down completely. Traffic was diverted off the turnpike at exit 110 for Sandusky/Bellevue, while the cement barricade was reset.
The highway remained closed until just before 4 p.m., when both lanes reopened.
The crash remains under investigation at this time. It is believed that all parties were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision.
