MILAN, Ohio — Two fatal crashes on the Ohio Turnpike killed three people on Sunday, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The first crash occurred at 6:41 a.m. when Anthony Jenson, 31, of Indianapolis, drove an eastbound truck off the road and collided with a tow truck that was stopped on the shoulder with its emergency lights activated.
The tow truck driver, who was not in the vehicle, was uninjured. Mr. Jenson was transferred to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital. His passenger, Dantrail Reese, 32, of Indianapolis, died at the scene, according to patrol Lt. Brett Gockstetter.
The second crash occurred at 7:34 a.m. in traffic that had backed up from the first incident. A minivan collided with a tanker truck being driven by Jesse Williams, 43, of Sparta, Wisconsin.
Lt. Gockstetter said that the driver of the minivan, Hongwei Wang, 56, of Chicago, and her passenger, Zhangli Liu, 56, died at the scene.
Mr. Williams was uninjured.
Turnpike lanes east of the Frailey Road overpass in Erie County were closed for three hours following the crashes.
The lieutenant stated that both crashes are still under investigation.
