Two dead following crash that closed Ohio interstate for hours

OHIO — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a tragic crash on Interstate 77 Thursday that claimed the lives of two individuals and injured another.

Authorities say the crash occurred when a white 2020 Freightliner semi-truck traveling southbound crossed the median and collided head-on with a red semi-truck in the northbound lanes.

Both vehicles were engulfed in flames upon impact, with fire damage so severe that officials have been unable to determine the make and model of the red truck.

Karan Singh, the driver of the white Freightliner, and his passenger, Harleen Kaul, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Sukhginder Singh, identified as the driver of the red semi-truck, survived the crash and was transported to Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center by United EMS for treatment.

The incident prompted a multi-agency response.

Emergency crews from Cambridge Fire Department, Byesville Fire, Liberty Fire, and Cassell Station Fire worked alongside the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office and the Guernsey County Emergency Management Agency.

Environmental concerns brought the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the scene, and traffic management efforts were coordinated with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). Bill’s Towing and Road Warriors Towing assisted with vehicle removal.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.