Admin
A Tennessee woman has died and a man is seriously injured following a rear-end collision involving a minivan and a box truck in an active construction zone on northbound I-75 in Wood County early Thursday morning.
Crash Details
- Time & Location: Approximately 4:20 a.m., near the I-475 interchange in Perrysburg Township
- Vehicles Involved:
- Freightliner M2 box truck, driven by Joel Settlemire, 54, of Findlay, stationary due to construction
- Dodge Grand Caravan, driven by Jessica Miller, 40, of Tullahoma, Tennessee
Authorities report that the minivan failed to maintain an assured clear distance and struck the rear of the stopped box truck. The force of the collision caused severe damage to the minivan and serious injuries to its occupants.
Victims
- Jessica Miller, 40: Transported to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, later pronounced deceased
- David Miller, 38: Sustained serious injuries, currently under hospital care
- 9-year-old girl: Sustained minor injuries, transported for evaluation
Troopers noted that none of the minivan’s occupants were properly restrained: Jessica Miller was using only a lap belt, while David Miller and the child in the rear were unrestrained.
Response & Investigation
Emergency responders from multiple agencies quickly arrived at the scene to provide medical assistance and manage traffic within the active construction zone.
The incident remains under investigation as authorities work to determine all contributing factors, including roadway conditions, vehicle positioning, and adherence to safety measures in the construction area.
The crash serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers of failing to maintain safe distances in work zones and the critical importance of proper seatbelt use.
