COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be highly visible and cracking down on impaired drivers during the Fourth of July holiday reporting period, which begins at midnight on Wednesday, July 3 and will run through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 7.
The Patrol’s zero-tolerance policy is part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign aimed at removing impaired drivers from the roadways. Many Fourth of July celebrations involve alcohol, which increases the possibility of impaired driving. Therefore, the Patrol urges motorists to buckle up, drive safely and follow all traffic laws.
“Fourth of July celebrations are a hallmark of summer in Ohio, and I urge everyone to celebrate responsibly to ensure a safe holiday for all,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.
During last year’s Fourth of July reporting period, from Monday, July 3 through Tuesday, July 4, a total of 10 fatal crashes killed 12 people; of those, nine crashes and 11 fatalities involved alcohol and/or drugs. Also, five of the fatalities involved unbelted victims who had safety belts available at the time of the crash. Last year’s Fourth of July reporting period included the fatalities of four motorcyclists, two pedestrians and one bicyclist. Ohio state troopers made 138 impaired driving arrests during the reporting period.
“For the Ohio State Highway Patrol, ensuring the safety of those who travel Ohio roads during the Fourth of July holiday, and every day, is a top priority,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Impaired driving is a significant contributor to preventable crashes and tragedies, and drug-impaired driving has continued to increase on Ohio’s roadways. Addressing this issue involves dedicated efforts by our troopers to increase safety on our roadways.”
When it comes to impaired driving, as Colonel Jones noted, the issue is not exclusive to alcohol impairment. In fact, drug impaired driving has continued to increase on Ohio’s roads. While overall fatal crashes went down 3% from 2022 to 2023, drug-impaired driving in fatal crashes increased 4%. Last year, troopers made 3,319 drug-impaired driving arrests. This included 739 marijuana impaired arrests, 1,865 drug-impaired driving arrests for a drug other than marijuana and 715 drug-impaired driving arrests in which the driver had a combination of marijuana and another drug in their system.
Motorists are encouraged to designate a sober driver and safely call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.
The Delaware Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on July 2, 2024 at approximately 11:17 P.M. on US-36 at Africa Road in Berlin Township.
Justin Neff, age 35, of Delaware Ohio was operating a red 2009 Volvo dump truck westbound on US-36. Derrick Price, age 45, of Columbus Ohio, along with Timothy Gibson, age 50. Of Columbus Ohio were occupants in a green 2005 GMC Sierra pickup truck.
The GMC Sierra failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the side of the Volvo dump truck. It is undetermined which occupant was the driver due to both occupants being ejected from the vehicle.
Mr. Price and Mr. Gibson were both pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Neff was transported with non-life-threatening injuries.
The crash remains under investigation, it is unknown if impairment and distraction were factors in this crash. Safety belts were not worn by the deceased.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, and Berlin Township Fire and EMS.
(DELAWARE, Ohio) — With a trial date looming, the former marketing director for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium pleaded guilty today to 16 felony counts and one misdemeanor, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
As part of the plea agreement, Pete Fingerhut will pay $675,572.65 in restitution. The amount includes money to be paid to the zoo, along with back taxes to the state of Ohio and Internal Revenue Service.
Fingerhut’s trial was scheduled to start July 9. He pleaded guilty in Delaware County Common Pleas Court to the following charges:
1 count of aggravated theft (F2)
1 count of conspiracy (F2)
11 counts of tampering with records (F3, F4, F5)
3 counts of telecommunications fraud (F4, F5)
1 count of falsification (M1)
Fingerhut will be sentenced on Sept. 23, following the conclusion of his co-defendant’s legal proceedings.
Today’s court action is the latest development in the investigation and prosecution of a scheme to defraud the zoo of more than $2.29 million:
Tracy Murnane, a former zoo purchasing agent, was charged by bill of information on June 23 with grand theft and five other felonies. He will be arraigned July 8.
Greg Bell, former chief financial officer, pleaded guilty on Oct. 19 to 14 felony charges, including aggravated theft, conspiracy and tampering with records. Bell will be sentenced after his co-defendants’ cases conclude.
Tom Stalf, the zoo’s former chief executive officer, is scheduled to stand trial beginning Aug. 6. He faces 36 felony charges.
The Attorney General’s Office was appointed to prosecute the case at the request of Delaware County Prosecutor Melissa Schiffel. The Ohio Auditor’s Office is assisting in the investigation and prosecution.
Marion – Troopers from the Marion Post are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on June 19, 2024, at approximately 4:40 PM, on County Road 5 in Marion County.
The crash involved a horse drawn carriage, operated by Edward Gingerich, age 14, of Marion, Ohio.
The second vehicle involved was a CSX locomotive.
The preliminary investigation indicates Mr. Gingerich was traveling northbound on County Road 5 when he lost control of the horse drawn carriage. The locomotive was traveling eastbound when the carriage struck the side of the locomotive.
Mr. Gingerich was ejected from the carriage and pronounced deceased at the scene.
Mr. Gingerich was transported from the scene by the Marion County Coroner’s Office to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Scioto Valley Fire and EMS, CSX rail company, and the Marion County Coroner’s Office.
Riley Twp. – The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash. The crash occurred today at 7:06 a.m. on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 94 in Riley Twp, Sandusky County, east of the State Route 53 interchange.
The preliminary investigation revealed a westbound 2008 Honda CRV, operated by Avery Wayne Pierce Jr., 34, of Ashburn, Virginia, drove off the right side of the roadway and struck the right rear trailer of a 2020 Freightliner tractor-trailer that was disabled on the right shoulder.
The disabled commercial-tractor trailer did have reflective safety triangles displayed to the rear of the tractor-trailer. The 2020 Freightliner was occupied by Festus Cenatus,62, of Apopka, Florida. Mr. Cenatus was not injured.
Mr. Pierce suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Clyde Fire Department, Sandusky County Coroner’s Office, Sandusky County EMS, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, and Madison’s Towing Service.
The crash remains under investigation at this time. Alcohol use appears to be a factor in this crash and Mr. Pierce was not wearing a safety belt.
Wakeman – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred on June 17, 2024 at approximately 11:27 PM. The crash occurred on West River Road (TR 62) north of Ogan Road, in the Township of Wakeman, Huron County, Ohio.
Shane Webb, 37, of Willard, was driving a 2015 Jeep Wrangler southbound on West River Road and drove off the right side of the roadway striking a culvert storm drain cover. The Jeep became airborne and overturned several times before striking a large raised flower bed, fence post, and tree.
The Jeep came to final rest in a private driveway off the west side of West River Road. Mr. Webb was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle suffering fatal injuries. Mr. Webb was transported from the scene by Citizens Ambulance to Toft Funeral Home. Interstate Towing removed the vehicle from the scene.
Alcohol, drug use, and speed are suspected to be factors in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Wakeman Fire Department, Wakeman Police Department, Citizens Ambulance, and Interstate Towing.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit today granted the Ohio Attorney General’s Office request for full court review in the case regarding the proposed amendment “Protecting Ohioans’ Constitutional Rights.”
Yost requested the En Banc review on May 30 after a divided three-member panel ruled that Ohio’s ballot initiative process likely violated the U.S. Constitution and ordered that the proposed amendment and summary should be sent to the Ballot Board.
The Attorney General had determined that that summary was not fair and truthful and thus would mislead Ohio voters.
In the En Banc petition, Yost argued that the panel opinion raised important constitutional issues that warranted review by all of the judges on the full court of appeals.
The Attorney General’s role is to ensure that what goes to the voters is an accurate representation of what is being presented. It is a safeguard to ensure voters fully understand what they are voting for.
OLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 14 crashes resulting in 17 deaths on Ohio’s roadways during the 2024 Memorial Day weekend, according to provisional statistics. This is a decrease from last year, when 26 individuals were killed. The four-day reporting period began Friday, May 24 and ran through Monday, May 27.
During the reporting period, state troopers made 19,104 traffic enforcement contacts, including 361 impaired driving arrests, 61 drug arrests, 2,662 safety belt citations and 1,090 distracted driving citations. In addition, the Patrol made 9,779 non-enforcement contacts including 1,950 motorist assists.
Motorists are reminded that roadway safety is a shared responsibility and are encouraged to call #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving.
For a statewide breakdown of enforcement and crashes during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, please click here.
UPDATE: Mason Rd from State Route 4 to Harris Rd is now re-opened and scene is clear.
Single Vehicle Injury Crash on West Mason Road in Erie County
OXFORD TOWNSHIP – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single vehicle injury crash, that occurred on May 25, 2024 at approximately 05:49 P.M. on West Mason Road near Harris Road in Oxford Township, Erie County.
Unit #1: John Jehle III, age 57, of Wakeman, Ohio was operating a 2014 Harley Davidson Street Glide. Mr. Jehle was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. He suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to Toledo Promedica Hospital by Promedica Life Flight.
Details of Crash: Unit #1 was traveling eastbound on West Mason Road near Harris Road. Unit #1 failed to properly negotiate a curve, went off the right side of the roadway, overturned and struck a ditch.
Alcohol and/or drug use are not believed to be a factor at this time. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Erie County Sheriff’s Office, North Central EMS, Groton Township Fire & EMS and Interstate Towing.
FOSTORIA – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is investigating a fatal crash involving a train in Loudon Township. The crash occurred today at approximately 1:30 p.m. on U.S. 224, just west of U.S. 23.
The preliminary investigation showed a Kia Soul, operated by Ellen Atherton, 72, Arlington, was driving northeast on U.S. 224 and went through a lowered railroad gate arm. The Kia was struck by a northbound CSX train and pushed off the left side of the roadway, before striking a utility pole.
Ellen Atherton and the front-seat passenger, Rex Atherton, 75, Arlington, suffered fatal injuries at the scene.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Seneca County
Sheriff’s Office, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Bascom Joint Fire District,
Bascom EMS, Seneca County EMS, Seneca County Coroner’s Office, CSX Police Department, Seneca County Community Emergency Response Team and Keller Brothers Enterprise.
Joe Lyons •
July 3, 2024
Riley Twp. – The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash. The crash occurred today at 7:06 a.m. on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 94 in Riley Twp, Sandusky County, east of the State Route 53 interchange.
Wakeman – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred on June 17, 2024 at approximately 11:27 PM. The crash occurred on West River Road (TR 62) north of Ogan Road, in the Township of Wakeman, Huron County, Ohio.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit today granted the Ohio Attorney General’s Office request for 
