Jeep Veers Off U.S. 22 Near Mile Marker 9, Kills Cambridge Man, 76

A 76-year-old Cambridge man was killed Monday when his Jeep left U.S. 22 near mile marker 9 and slammed into a tree, according to law enforcement. First responders pronounced the driver dead at the scene, and investigators shut down that stretch of the highway while they worked.

As reported by The Daily Jeffersonian, reporter Shawn Digity wrote that the Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the victim as Roger Adair of Cambridge. Troopers said Adair was driving a 2011 Jeep Wrangler when it veered off the right side of U.S. 22 and struck a tree. The patrol's preliminary release listed his death at the scene and noted that Cambridge police assisted during the response.

Crash scene and response

Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol led the investigation while the Cambridg be Police Department handled on-scene support. Authorities temporarily closed the affected portion of U.S. 22 near mile marker 9 to document the wreck, collect evidence, and clear debris before reopening the road.

Regional road-safety context

State officials have been leaning on enforcement and public outreach to curb serious crashes during busy travel periods, a recent traffic safety summit underscored. WOSU covered the summit, and reporting in The Blade recently highlighted highway patrol leaders' push for stronger seat-belt laws as one way to cut down on roadway deaths.

Investigation

The crash remains under investigation, and officials have not announced a suspected cause or any criminal charges, according to The Daily Jeffersonian. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information is asked to contact the Ohio State Highway Patrol or the Cambridge Police Department.