Two Columbus residents are among four people killed in a wrong-way, head-on crash early Sunday morning on Interstate 71 in Morrow County.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol‘s Mount Gilead post is investigating the crash, which happened around 2:40 a.m. Sunday on I-71 near mile marker 152 in Franklin Township. That’s about a mile north of the Ohio 95 exit for Mount Gilead and Fredericktown, near Chesterville.
According to the Highway Patrol, four people were pronounced dead at the scene: Cristal Galloso Olvera, 31, and Ivonne Olvera, 50, both of Columbus; Larry A. Dotson, 32, of Canton; and Marlee Middleton, 32, of Massillon.
Dotson was driving a 2020 Hyundai Tucson the wrong way on I-71 south when he crashed head-on into a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee being driven by Salvador Alfaro Castaneda, 26, of Columbus, the Highway Patrol said.
Both vehicles turned over and caught fire after the impact. In Castaneda’s car were Galloso Olvera and Olvera, who are related, though it is unclear how. Dotson’s passenger was Middleton, the Highway patrol said.
Castaneda was taken to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital with serious injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt, the Highway Patrol said, but it’s not clear if his passengers were.
Dotson and Middleton were not wearing seatbelts, the Highway Patrol said.
The cause of the crash, including whether drugs or alcohol were involved, is under investigation by the Highway Patrol.
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Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
