DELAWARE, OH — A devastating chain-reaction crash claimed the lives of a young family and left several others injured Saturday evening on Interstate 71. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) confirms that a semi-truck failed to slow for construction traffic, triggering a massive nine-vehicle collision.
The Incident
At approximately 6:27 PM, northbound traffic on I-71 near the U.S. 36 interchange was backed up due to a construction zone. According to investigators, a 2006 Freightliner semi-tractor trailer traveling northbound failed to stop, slamming into the rear of several vehicles that were at a complete standstill.
The impact set off a domino effect that eventually snared nine different vehicles in the wreckage.
Victims Identified
The crash resulted in the heartbreaking deaths of three occupants in a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado. The victims, all residents of Ashley, Ohio, include:
- A 37-year-old male
- A 36-year-old female
- A one-year-old child
Beyond the fatalities, three other individuals sustained serious injuries. They were transported to regional hospitals, though authorities state their injuries are currently considered non-life-threatening.
Driver in Custody
The driver of the Freightliner, identified as Modou F. Ngom, 50, of Columbus, survived the crash. He was taken into custody at the scene and is currently being held at the Delaware County Jail. Ngom faces charges of vehicular homicide.
Multi-Agency Response
The sheer scale of the crash required an extensive response. I-71 was shuttered in both directions for several hours as rescue crews worked and investigators performed a complex crash reconstruction.
The OSHP Delaware Post was supported by a wide array of local agencies, including:
- The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and Delaware County EMS
- Police departments from Sunbury and Genoa Township
- B.S.T&G Fire Department
- The Delaware County Coroner’s and Prosecutor’s Offices
- Multiple heavy-duty towing services and ODOT
The investigation into the exact circumstances of the failure to stop remains ongoing.
