Semi-truck hauling an oversized load northbound on I-75 at Lime City Road struck and severally damaged an Ohio overpass causing the closure of northbound I-75. The truck driver, Lavoris Ruth, 43, from Miami Gardens, Florida was arrested and now is facing multiple charges.
Ohio State Highway Patrol stated that on Friday, February 10. around 2 am, the semi-truck was driving northbound on I-75. The oversized semi-truck load hit the bottom of the overpass at Lime City Road in Rossford and severely damaged it. The truck ran away from the crash scene, leaving debris on the highway. The debris hit one vehicle and damaged it and injured the driver. A couple more vehicles were hit and one more driver sustained minor injuries.
The injured driver of one of the vehicles followed the truck to the parking lot where the truck stopped and reported its location to the police. The truck was located east of I-75 in the area of the Ampoint complex. The police soon arrested the driver. It was established that the driver was driving without a license or permission to drive an oversized load. Ruth was transferred to the Wood County Jail on charges including possessing no valid license, leaving the scene of an accident, and an over-dimensional violation. He will face the charges of Commercial Driver Prohibitions and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
Lavoris Ruth has several charges in his criminal record, including robbery, larceny, theft, burglary, probation violation, and drug convictions. The bond for his release is set at $20.000.
The semi-truck was hauling the base of an intermodal container crane.
Interstate 75 was immediately closed and crews have been working nonstop since 3 a.m. to clear the lanes. An ODOT spokesman said he hopes to have a section of the northbound lane open to traffic by midnight, but all lanes of traffic on northbound I-75 were open at 4 am, on Saturday. Damage was estimated at $400,000.
Traffic is diverted around the Lime City Road overpass near the Ohio Turnpike in Wood County on I-75 in Rossford, Ohio. To continue on I-75, take SR 795 east to I-280 north.
The Ohio Department of Transportation expects to finish the repair of the damage caused by the semi-truck striking and damaging an Ohio overpass within two months. The ODOT workers must remove the damaged girders and the remains of the truck’s load. Until then, Lime City Road will be closed.
