A wrong-way driver turned a quiet early morning on I-75 into a serious emergency Friday, leaving two people with life-threatening injuries and shutting down all northbound lanes for hours near the I-275 interchange by Sharonville and West Chester. The wreck, which involved a passenger car and a semi, scattered heavy debris across the highway. Troopers and firefighters had to use extrication tools, and at least two victims were flown to UC Medical Center for treatment.
Wrong-way driver triggers multi-vehicle crash
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says troopers from the Hamilton Post were sent to I-75 around 2:18 a.m. after reports of a vehicle heading south in the northbound lanes. Before they could intervene, the wrong-way driver caused a four-vehicle crash just north of mile marker 18, shortly past the I-75/I-275 interchange, according to WCPO.
How the chain reaction unfolded
As reported by WLWT, the wrong-way vehicle, identified by troopers as a 2012 Honda Civic driven by 54-year-old Damon Holloway of Fairfield, collided head-on with a northbound 2016 Honda Accord driven by 26-year-old Juan Gabriel Espinosa Lopez. The Accord spun into the median and was then hit by a Freightliner, and a fourth vehicle later struck debris from the crash.
Victims airlifted, freeway shut down for hours
Both the wrong-way driver and the driver who was hit were trapped in their vehicles and had to be extricated, then taken to UC West Chester Hospital with what troopers described as serious, life-threatening injuries. They were later airlifted to UC Medical Center for further care, according to WCPO. The Freightliner driver and the driver whose vehicle struck debris were not injured. All northbound lanes were shut down during the investigation and did not reopen until just before 8 a.m.
Impairment suspected as probe continues
Troopers said they suspect impairment played a role in the crash, and the Hamilton Post continues to investigate, WLWT reports. Officials have not yet released any additional information about possible charges or the current conditions of the victims.
Troubled stretch already under heavy construction
The Mill Creek Expressway and nearby portions of I-75 have been dealing with multiple lane restrictions as the Ohio Department of Transportation works on bridge and pavement repairs. ODOT had already scheduled a full closure of northbound I-75 from May 15 to 18 for repair work ahead of resurfacing, underscoring how quickly incidents on this busy corridor can lead to long backups, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
