Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck by Ohio State Highway Patrol Cruiser on I-71 in Medina County
MEDINA – The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is investigating a fatal crash involving a pedestrian who was in the roadway and a marked OSHP cruiser that occurred early this morning on Interstate 71 northbound in Medina County. Preliminary information indicates the incident took place between state Route 83 and the Interstate 76 interchange in Westfield Township.
Troopers responded to reports of a pedestrian walking in the roadway on Interstate 71 northbound near milepost 204 at 4:45 a.m. At approximately 5:00 a.m., the pedestrian was struck by a marked Ohio State Highway Patrol cruiser in the roadway on Interstate 71 northbound near milepost 206. The pedestrian, Daniel L. Westrich, 27, Canton, was pronounced dead at the scene. No additional injuries have been reported.
The crash remains under investigation.
For the safety of the public and first responders, motorists traveling northbound on Interstate 71 should avoid the area between state Route 83 and the Interstate 76 interchange, and seek alternate routes if traveling nearby. The southbound lanes of Interstate 71 remain open. Additional information will be forthcoming from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Seville-Guilford Fire & EMS, Westfield Fire & Rescue, the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and Jon’s Towing.