WOODVILLE TOWNSHIP – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Swanton Post is investigating a fatal crash involving a commercial tractor-trailer and two passenger vehicles that occurred early Sunday morning on the Ohio Turnpike.
The crash happened on August 24, 2025, at approximately 12:19 a.m. in the eastbound lanes near milepost 77 in Woodville Township, Sandusky County.
According to troopers, a 2014 Ford Mustang driven by 20-year-old Blade Campbell of Sandusky was traveling east in the right lane when it struck the rear of a 2000 International tractor-trailer operated by 69-year-old Roderick Rife of Sterling Heights, Michigan. After the impact, the Mustang entered the middle lane and struck a 2025 Ford Bronco driven by 47-year-old William Evans of University Heights.
The Mustang and the tractor-trailer then went off the left side of the roadway and struck the concrete median wall. The tractor-trailer caught fire, and Rife was pronounced deceased at the scene. Campbell was transported to Mercy St. Vincent Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Evans was not injured.
The Ohio Turnpike was shut down in both directions for about an hour following the crash before right lanes were reopened to traffic.
The Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, Woodville Township Fire Department, Allen-Clay Joint Fire District, Harris-Elmore Fire Department, Sandusky County EMS, and Madison Motor Service.
The crash remains under investigation.
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