Akron man fatally struck trying to walk across I-77 near Bolivar
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (July 22, 2024) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal incident on I-77 south near Bolivar Sunday morning involving a pedestrian who was struck and killed.
New Philadelphia Post Trooper Roy Beach says the victim, 34-year-old Jonathan Mandala of Akron, apparently walked onto the highway from the right side of the lanes and was hit by a flatbed truck just before 10 a.m. Beach says the truck driver told troopers he attempted to swerve to the left and braked but was unable to avoid hitting Mandala.
Beach says Mandala was taken to a Canton hospital, where he died from his injuries. He says they later learned Mandala had been camping overnight at Fort Laurens, where his bike and some other belongings were found.
Beach says it’s unclear why Mandala had been trying to cross I-77, but the post could learn more once the coroner’s report is complete. The driver of the truck, an Alliance man, was not injured or cited.