Driver killed in fiery tanker crash was NE Ohio man
NORTHFIELD CENTER TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) — A portion of state Route 8 South in Northfield Center Township reopened Sunday morning after a fiery tanker truck crash killed the driver of the truck, according to the Summit County Sheriff’s Department.
Bill Holland, with the Summit County Sheriff’s Department, said the truck was traveling northbound on state Route 8 and attempted to get on Interstate 271 North when the crash occurred, at about 9:15 a.m. on Saturday.
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The truck lost control and went over the side of the bridge, Holland said.
“The truck landed on … state Route 8 and subsequently burst into flames,” he added.
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday identified the driver as 31-year-old Jason Thomas Stevens of Ashtabula. Following an autopsy, the medical examiner ruled his death accidental, caused by multiple blunt force injuries.
No other injuries have been reported.
The Ohio Department of Transportation said the tanker landed on the southbound lane of state Route 8.
“Currently, RT 8 SB, along with the on-ramp and exit overpasses to and from I-271 remain closed for an unknown period until ODOT finishes their investigation and determines when they can reopen,” the Macedonia Fire Department said in a statement Saturday at about 8 p.m. Drivers were asked to avoid the area.
Courtesy: Jason Ross Courtesy: Byanna Yakof Courtesy: Jason Ross Courtesy: ODOT Courtesy: Lauren McIntyre
First responders from all over the area were on scene quickly Saturday evening, including more than 60 firefighters.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency released a statement regarding 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel it said impacted a nearby creek.
You can read the Ohio EPA statement below:
Shortly after 9 a.m., Saturday, a semi-tanker carrying 7,500 gallons of diesel was involved in a wreck and caught fire on State Route 8 in Summit County.
The nearby Brandywine Creek has been impacted with diesel from the crash. The creek briefly caught fire initially after the accident and Ohio EPA’s on-scene coordinator is reporting the fire is out.
Ohio EPA is installing containment in the creek to stop the spread of the material and overseeing abatement efforts.
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The mayor of Macedonia Nick Molnar said cleanup has been an all-hands operation for multiple crews in Summit County, along with the EPA.
“That’s Brandywine Creek,” Molnar said. “They’re working on containing that. Now, again, the EPA is on site, so they’re working on getting that contained in there, going down through the creek to try and stop that from flowing any further.”
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