A 21-year-old Ansonia man died Saturday night after his car crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer that had pulled over inside a construction zone on Interstate 75 in Miami County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The crash happened on I-75 northbound near milepost 75. Troopers from the Piqua Post responded to the scene and began an investigation into how the crash occurred.
What Investigators Found
According to the initial investigation, a 2010 Freightliner tractor-trailer had pulled onto the right shoulder of the highway, inside a construction zone, because of a mechanical problem. The truck was parked out of the way of active traffic lanes when it stopped.
Several minutes later, troopers say a 2005 Chevrolet Impala that had been traveling northbound on I-75 drifted out of its lane and into the closed lanes of the construction zone. The Impala struck the back of the parked Freightliner.
The driver of the Impala was identified as 21-year-old Yukahn Riffell of Ansonia. He was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of injuries from the crash. The driver of the Freightliner, identified by local station WTGR as 43-year-old Derek Blakely of Bethel, Ohio, was not injured.
Troopers have not released information about what may have caused Riffell to leave his lane and enter the closed portion of the highway. The crash remains under active investigation, and no further details about a possible cause have been made public so far.
Emergency Response and Traffic Impact
Multiple agencies assisted Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers at the scene. The Troy Police Department, Troy Fire and EMS, and Dick Lumpkin’s Towing all responded to help manage the crash site and the aftermath.
The crash caused the closure of the northbound lanes of I-75 while crews worked to clear the scene, leading to significant delays for drivers traveling through that stretch of highway.
Traffic backed up in the area as emergency crews worked to investigate the crash and remove the vehicles involved.
Photos taken at the scene showed congested traffic conditions in the area following the crash, with vehicles backed up as emergency responders worked.
As is standard procedure for fatal crashes inside construction zones, troopers are using this incident to remind drivers to slow down and pay close attention when driving through work zones on highways.
Construction zones often involve lane shifts, narrowed lanes, and reduced speed limits, all of which can create hazards for drivers who are not paying full attention to changing road conditions.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the investigation into the crash is ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has additional information is asked to contact the appropriate Highway Patrol post handling the case.
This is at least the second fatal crash reported on I-75 in the region in recent days, following another deadly crash involving a vehicle on the highway in nearby Auglaize County.
Local officials continue to stress safe driving habits, particularly in active construction areas where road crews and stopped vehicles can create unexpected hazards for passing traffic.
Authorities have not indicated whether any citations will be issued in connection with the crash. Updates are expected as the Ohio State Highway Patrol continues its investigation into the exact circumstances that led to the fatal collision.
