Investigators locate semi driver suspected in fatal I-77 crash in October
NEW PHILADELPHIA – The State Highway Patrol has located the suspected driver who fled the scene of a fatal crash on I-77 near Strasburg in October.
Sgt. William Bower says they are not publicly identifying the 59-year-old Cleveland man at this time, but they believe he drove the red semi-tractor trailer that caused the crash on Oct. 24.
Bower says the driver was attempting to make an illegal U-Turn through a crossover marked “emergency vehicles only.”
The State Highway Patrol has turned the case over to the Tuscarawas County Prosecutor’s Office. Bower says they a seeking a direct indictment from the grand jury.
Dennis Alsept of Bolivar was driving the SUV that collided with the truck as it was making an illegal U-turn on I-77. He died from his injuries a week later.
Bower says investigators used videos, tips from businesses and other truck drivers, and the Flock license plate recognition program to finally identify the vehicle and driver.
“We just want to thank the public for calling in, even the business that called in and the many truck drivers who called in that possibly saw this vehicle or identified this vehicle,” Bower said. “We just want to take the time to thank the people that did call in because it sure did help assist in our investigation.”