Ramiz Guliev, 30, of Flushing, New York, was the truck driver who died Tuesday morning, the patrol said. He drove off the right side of Interstate 70 westbound near state Route 4 at around 1:40 a.m. striking an accident scene. Guliev was ejected from the truck, the patrol said, and he was pinned beneath the semi-tractor trailer.
He died of his injuries.
Mad River Twp. Fire Chief Tim Wendling said one of the rescue workers was seriously injured by the crash and the other had suffered minor injuries. The OHP said neither paramedic nor the SUV driver had life-threatening injuries.
Tuesday morning saw snowfall and slick roads throughout Clark County and the rest of the Miami Valley. But, Ohio State Highway Patrol said driver inattention and Guliev failing to wear a seatbelt were both factors in the crash.
OHP Springfield Post Lt. Brian Aller said the death could have been prevented.
“Unfortunately, the death of this young man could have been avoided if he used his seat belt,” Aller said. “It’s the easiest and most effective safety device we have in vehicles today. Seatbelts save lives.”
During the first two hours of the investigation, traffic on I-70 westbound was stopped and re-routed. Deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Mad River Twp. Fire and EMS, Bethel Twp. Fire and EMS and the Ohio Department of Transportation assisted with controlling traffic and securing the scene.
Wendling said the ambulance with two paramedics was called out to the scene because the SUV had gotten into an accident and reported injuries.
He said drivers traveling the interstates need to be cautious, always.
“It’s just not the winter months. While winter and icy conditions increase chances of an accident, drivers need to slow down, be aware of their surroundings and when approaching accident scenes, move over and allow extra time,” the chief said. “No matter the season, all public safety workers, EMT’s, firefighters, paramedics and police are selfless individuals, caring more for others and making our communities a safer place to live and work, the EMS personnel that were injured today are no different.”
Wendling said the job of a first responder is inherently dangerous and motorists and passersby can create additional hazards by not paying attention.
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