Semi goes airborne before crash at I-75 interchange

UPDATE @ 7 a.m.:

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has identified the driver of the car involved in Wednesday morning’s crash as Ricky Daniels, 37, of Dayton. Troopers say Daniels hit a semi while attempting to change lanes on northbound I-75 near I-70, causing the truck to go airborne off an embankment.

Daniels was cited for an improper lane change and OVI. He is listed as in custody at the Montgomery County Jail, according to online jail records.

The driver of the semitrailer has been identified as Christopher Burkhart, 47, of Stoney Fork, Kentucky. He was taken to Miami Valley Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash and the incident remains under investigation by the Dayton Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

UPDATE @ 3:45 a.m.:

Troopers say the driver of a semi went airborne after avoiding a crash with a suspected drunk driver on I-75.

Crews were dispatched to the I-70/I-75 interchange around 1:50 a.m. Wednesday on a report of a semi crashing onto an embankment.

According to Sgt. Jerod Keyes of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, both vehicles were traveling north on I-75 when the car made contact with the semi while attempting to pass it. Keyes says the semi driver then took ‘evasive action’ to avoid another crash, drove off the roadway and went airborne, clearing a hill and the ramp from south I-75 to east I-70, before coming to rest on another hill.

The driver of the semi was injured in the crash and was transported to Miami Valley Hospital. His condition is unknown.

Troopers say the semi was in danger of falling down the embankment and back onto the ramp, but firefighters said it is stable and is no longer in danger of falling into traffic.

The ramp from south I-75 to east I-70 was blocked while crews investigated, but has been allowed to reopen. Keyes says the ramp will be shut down again once a tow company accesses the situation and begins removing the semi.

Troopers suspect alcohol was a factor in the crash and noted the driver of the car smelled of alcohol.

FIRST REPORT

Firefighters and troopers have responded to the I-70/I-75 interchange after a semitrailer has crashed onto an embankment.

The incident was reported around 2 a.m. Wednesday. Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol have currently blocked the ramp from southbound I-75 to eastbound I-70 due to the semi’s location on the embankment and possibility of falling onto that ramp.

Reports also indicate the semi driver was injured and has been transported to a hospital for treatment.

We have a crew on the scene and will update this story when more information is available.