MONROE, Ohio — MONROE ― The northbound lanes of I-75 were shut down for hours after two semi-tractor trailers were involved in a deadly crash Tuesday morning. The highway has since reopened.
Sgt. Ryan Purpura said the Hamilton post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol was dispatched just before 9 a.m. about 3 miles past the Ohio 129 exit, near Liberty Way, in front of a rest area.
The OSHP said James Barnett III was driving a 2022 Kenworth hauling a flatbed trailer loaded with aluminum coils. Barnett was in the left middle lane, behind the driver of a 2016 Freightliner hauling an empty trailer.
"For an unknown reason," the driver of the Freightliner slowed and Barnett swerved his vehicle to the right, striking the rear trailer of the Freightliner in front of him. Barnett's vehicle overturned, drove off the left side of the roadway and into the concrete median.
Barnett was ejected from his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, OSHP said. Officials did not provide information on the condition of the other driver.
Debris from the crash went to both sides of the interstate, causing traffic disruption in the southbound lanes of I-75 as well.
The crash is still under investigation, OSHP said. No charges have been announced in connection with the crash.
