Driver in crash that closed SR 39 several hours arrested for OVI
NEW PHILADELPHIA (WJER) (Aug. 1, 2025) – The State Highway Patrol believes the crash that closed state Route 39 just east of New Philadelphia for several hours Friday morning was caused by a suspected drunk driver.
New Philadelphia Post Sgt. Bill Bower says the post was notified about the crash near Kaserman Road SE just after 4 a.m.
He says the car drifted off the road – bringing down numerous utility lines and causing several poles to lean.
Bower says it wasn’t safe to try and allow vehicles to pass through there as the utility company repaired the damage. He says two semis came through shortly after the crash and clipped the wires, resulting in minor damage to their vehicles.
ODOT helped with traffic control as the road was closed for more than six hours.
Bower says troopers are still investigating how exactly the driver ended up losing control.
The post didn’t immediately release the driver’s name. He was arrested for OVI and not injured in the single-vehicle crash.