Two Dead in Crash Involving SUV and Tractor-Trailer at I-80 Toll Plaza in Ohio
SWANTON, OH — Two people died and three were injured in a collision between an SUV and a tractor-trailer at the Interstate 80 toll plaza around 5:30 a.m. on August 2024.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the SUV driver, experiencing fatigue, slowed abruptly while merging from a high-speed lane into a lower-speed lane. The tractor-trailer, traveling at the 70 mph speed limit, struck the rear of the SUV. Both vehicles overturned, and two passengers in the SUV were killed; another passenger and both drivers sustained serious injuries. The SUV driver was the only occupant wearing a seat belt.
Authorities reported that subsequent traffic backups led to two additional accidents involving at least eight vehicles. Investigators observed that over 1,000 drivers made similar last-minute lane changes in the weeks leading up to the crash, indicating a troubling trend at the toll plaza.
The NTSB recommended eliminating manual toll payment lanes in favor of fully electronic tolling to enhance safety and reduce the need for dangerous lane changes. The Board emphasized that while hybrid toll plazas are safer than fully manual ones, completely removing slow-speed toll booths would further mitigate risks.
Investigations into the crash continue, with local agencies cooperating to assess traffic patterns and safety measures at the toll plaza.