EATON – Five individuals were injured, one critically, when a semi crashed into another semi, which in turn struck a passenger car and burst into flames at the exit ramp from Interstate 70 to U.S. 127 on Thursday, Sept. 22.
The eastbound semi went through the intersection and struck the northbound semi, which struck the car, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Kramer.
The investigation into the crash is being aided by dash-cam video from an uninvolved semi which was traveling south over the overpass on U.S. 127, according to Kramer. The truck which burned was transporting grain, while the second was carrying household goods, Kramer said.
The ramp was closed during the investigation and clean-up. Crews had to clean up the large diesel fuel spill created by the crash.
According to OSP reports, 27-year-old Mohamud Aden of Illinois was driving the semi which caused the crash. A passenger in Aden’s truck, 28-year-old Ali Somow of Columbus, was taken by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital and remained in critical condition at press time. According to Kramer, Somow was riding in the sleeper compartment of Aden’s semi and was critically injured when the crash occurred. Emergency medical personnel were immediately performing lifesaving measures upon arrival, and while loading the victim to CareFlight, Kramer said.
Aden was transported to the Kettering Emergency Room facility at the Preble County Medical Center for treatment, as was the driver of the second semi, Jack Kline, 65, and the driver of the car, 42-year-old Heather Lake of Eaton. A passenger in the car was also treated for minor injuries, Kramer said.
A dog riding in the semi which caught fire was killed, according to Kramer.
Aden could face charges related to the crash, according to troopers.