A somber day has struck Erie County, Ohio, as multiple lives were lost in two devastating crashes on the Ohio Turnpike on the morning of August 31, 2025. The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed that both incidents occurred within an hour of each other east of the Frailey Road overpass, leaving communities reeling and emergency responders working tirelessly to manage the aftermath.
The first crash occurred at approximately 6:41 a.m. when an eastbound International 4300 truck, driven by 31-year-old Anthony Jenson of Indianapolis, Indiana, left the roadway and collided with a tow truck that had been stopped on the shoulder with its emergency lights activated. Jenson was transported to Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Tragically, his passenger, 32-year-old Dantrail Reese, also from Indianapolis, died at the scene. The tow truck driver, fortunately, was outside his vehicle at the time and sustained no injuries.
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Less than an hour later, around 7:34 a.m., a second crash occurred in the traffic backup caused by the first collision. A Toyota Sienna collided with a Peterbilt 389 tractor-tanker combination operated by 43-year-old Jesse Williams of Sparta, Wisconsin. Both the driver and passenger of the Sienna lost their lives, while Williams escaped unharmed. The identities of the Sienna victims have not yet been released.
The crashes resulted in a three-hour closure of the eastbound Turnpike and required coordinated efforts from multiple agencies, including the Florence Township and Berlin Township Fire Departments, LifeCare EMS, Metro Life Flight, Erie County Coroner’s Office, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, and Interstate Towing & Transport Specialist.
Families, friends, and the wider community are grappling with the sudden loss of loved ones. Those impacted are being remembered not only for their lives but also for the joy, love, and connections they brought into the lives of those around them. Though some details, including the identities of the Sienna victims, remain pending, the profound sorrow felt across Erie County is unmistakable.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate both crashes, urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in understanding the full circumstances of these tragedies.
As the community mourns, heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Dantrail Reese, the victims of the Toyota Sienna, and all those affected by these heartbreaking incidents. Their memories will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved them.