The Ohio Highway Patrol is looking for the driver of a tractor-trailer involved in an October incident that killed one man.
According to Sgt. William Bower of the New Philadelphia Post, both automobiles were driving on Interstate 77 near Strasburg around 11:40 a.m. on October 24.
The tractor-trailer driver was in the right lane when he turned left to travel south on the freeway via a crossover. He was struck by a 2024 Kia SUV driven by Dennis L. Alsept, 78, of Bolivar while going in the left lane.
Following the incident, the driver of the tractor-trailer fled the scene.
Alsept was sent to Aultman Hospital in Canton, where he died seven days later, on October 31, from his injuries.
Troopers are looking for a red International semi with a sleeper towing a flatbed trailer. The semi features an aftermarket chrome front bumper and grille.
The chrome bumper includes lights along the bottom. The sleeper component of the semi has two tinted windows at the top. The doors feature white writing. The load on the trailer seemed to be black metal pipes.
Bower said that if the driver is found, he or she may face criminal penalties.
The patrol discovered evidence that the tractor-trailer went east on U.S. 250 via Apple Creek, Mount Eaton, Wilmot, and Strasburg before entering the interstate. Video footage shows that the tractor-trailer was in Apple Creek at 11:07 a.m., Mount Eaton at 11:18 a.m., and Strasburg at 11:36 a.m.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Philadelphia Post at 330-339-1103.
