OHIO — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash involving two commercial trucks that occurred late Thursday night in Wyandot County.
According to the Bucyrus Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash happened at approximately 10:25 p.m. on February 19, 2026, on U.S. 23 southbound, just north of Township Road 103 in Crawford Township.
Troopers said Martin A. Montoya, 37, of Torrance, California, had been operating a white 2020 Volvo semi-tractor trailer that became disabled and was parked on the right berm of the highway. Montoya had exited the vehicle and was standing near the left side of the tractor, in the area of the white edge line, with a side access panel door open.
A second commercial vehicle, a white 2019 International semi-tractor trailer driven by Gerti Veiza, 27, of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, was traveling southbound in the right lane at the time of the incident. Investigators say the truck’s right-side mirror struck the open access panel door of the disabled Volvo, and Montoya was also struck during the collision.
Montoya was pronounced dead at the scene. Veiza was transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay with possible minor injuries.
Authorities stated that alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash. The Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office, Carey Fire Department, Upper Sandusky EMS, and the Ohio Department of Transportation assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.
