A morning commute in Thompson Township took a turn for the worse on Wednesday when a driver, preoccupied with his breakfast, triggered a three-vehicle collision. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported that the crash was caused by the driver's attempt to retrieve a dropped doughnut, losing control of his vehicle. In a statement obtained by FOX8, state trooper William Head described how the eastbound vehicle strayed into the opposite lane on Rock Creek Road, striking two westbound cars.
The cascade of events began just before 7:30 a.m., with the distracted driver veering left of the center on a curving stretch of road. His car side-swiped another before colliding with a third. The sequence hospitalized one driver with serious injuries, including four broken ribs and a broken knee, as per Trooper Head's detailed account. According to the Cleveland19 report, Hambden Township firefighters had to cut one person free from their vehicle, a rescue affirmed by their Facebook post.
The aftermath of the crash saw wounded parties transported to UH-Geauga Hospital and another individual treated on-site but refused further medical care. The critical response included personnel from Thompson Fire Department, Leroy Township Fire Department, and Montville Fire Rescue, reports WHIO in Cleveland. During the clean-up and preliminary investigation, the roadway where the crash unfolded was closed for an estimated three hours.
The OSHP continues investigating the incident, and charges have been levied against the driver responsible for the accident. He faces citations for failing to stay in his lane adequately and distracted driving. Details about the exact condition of the victims have not been publicly disclosed aside from their injuries being non-life-threatening, according to a Cleveland19 report.
