JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The Mansfield branch of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 71 that left one man with serious injuries Wednesday afternoon.
The crash occurred at approximately 12:32 p.m. near mile post 163 in Jefferson Township. According to investigators, a 2023 Freightliner box truck driven by Zachary Krysler, 39, of North Royalton, was traveling northbound when it drifted onto the right shoulder and struck a parked 2021 Toyota RAV4.
The SUV was occupied by Harold Merz, 73, and Brenda Merz, 75, both of Westerville.
Emergency crews extricated Harold Merz from the vehicle before he was transported by MedFlight to the Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus with serious injuries. Brenda Merz was taken by ambulance to OhioHealth Mansfield with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
A passenger in the Freightliner, Gregory Medlen, was also transported to OhioHealth Mansfield with non-life-threatening injuries. Krysler sustained minor injuries but was not transported from the scene.
All lanes of Interstate 71 were briefly closed following the collision but have since reopened to traffic.
The Mansfield State Highway Patrol was assisted on the scene by Jefferson Township EMS, Mansfield Fire, Troy Township EMS, Ronk’s Towing, and Auer’s Towing. The crash remains under investigation.