4 Dead in Fatal Crash in Morrow County on I-71

Joe Lyons • March 31, 2024

Photo Credit: https://richlandnewsnetwork.com

Mount Gilead — The Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal traffic crash that occurred on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at approximately 2:38 AM, on Interstate 71 near mile post 152 in Franklin Township, Morrow County.

Larry A. Dotson, age 32, of Canton, Ohio, was operating a 2020 Hyundai Tucson northbound on Interstate 71 in the southbound lanes. Salvador Alfaro Castaneda, age 26, of Columbus, Ohio, was operating a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee southbound on Interstate 71. Mr. Dotson’s vehicle was going the wrong-way and struck by Mr. Castaneda’s vehicle head-on.

Both vehicles overturned and caught fire after impact.

Mr. Castaneda’s vehicle was occupied by two passengers; Cristal Galloso Olvera, age 31, and Ivonne Olvera, age 50, both of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Dotson’s vehicle was occupied by one passenger; Marlee S. Middleton, age 32, of Massillon, Ohio.

Larry Dotson, Marlee Middleton, Cristal Galloso and Ivonne Olvera were pronounced deceased on scene by medical personnel. Mr. Castaneda was transported from the scene to Ohio Health in Mansfield with serious injuries.

It is unknown if drugs and alcohol were factors in this crash. Mr. Castaneda was wearing his seat-belt at the time of the crash and it is unknown if his passengers were wearing seat-belts. Mr. Dotson and his passenger were not wearing seat-belts at the time of the traffic crash.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Morrow County EMS, Morrow County Coroner’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation and the Mount Gilead Fire Department.

The traffic crash remains under investigation by the Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.