Perry Twp., OH (May 4, 2024) – A man and woman lost their lives as a result of a fatal accident that occurred in Richland County. The collision took place on Wednesday evening, May 1.
Official reports indicate that at around 10:50 p.m., a Nissan Rogue, driven by 60-year-old Michael Albaugh, was traveling south on Interstate 71 during the evening hours when it collided with a deer. The impact of the collision caused the hood on the SUV to become unlatched and block the windshield. At the same time, 60-year-old Ahmed M. Ahmed was driving a Freightliner commercial tractor-trailer behind the SUV.
Ahmed swerved to avoid colliding with the Nissan. As a result, the truck went off the left side of the roadway and through the median before entering the northbound lanes. The tractor-trailer then collided with a Chevrolet Uplander and a Ford Escape. The vehicle then caught on fire. A second Freightliner commercial tractor-trailer, driven by 43-year-old Elvedin Hunusic, then collided with Ahmed’s truck.
Two people involved in the crash, identified as 60-year-old Shawna Smith and 62-year-old Ronald Smith, were both fatally injured. They were pronounced deceased on-site. A passenger in the Nissan and the drivers of the remaining vehicles all sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash. The victims were transported to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. At this time, investigations into the crash are ongoing.
We hope the injured victims recover quickly from their injuries.
We offer our sympathies to the families of Shawna Smith and Ronald Smith.
Experiencing the loss of a family member due to another driver’s carelessness is an incredibly painful experience. While no one wants to think about legal proceedings while trying to grieve, a wrongful death lawsuit can help cover costs associated with an unexpected death in your family that was caused by someone else’s negligence.
It is critical that families have timely access to necessary evidence to pursue justice in such cases. Unfortunately, the Ohio Department of Transportation ODOT only retains video footage for 72 hours following an incident, underscoring the importance of immediate legal action.
At Merriman Legal, LLC, we understand the urgency of these situations. Our Rapid Response team is dedicated to quickly gathering crucial evidence from ODOT and various commercial entities to uphold your family’s rights. Our team is already taking action to secure the footage from this accident. We are passionate about supporting you through every step of the legal journey and committed to ensuring that justice is served for your lost loved one. If your family is grappling with the aftermath of a tragic accident caused by reckless behavior, please reach out to our Perry Township wrongful death attorneys at (216) 522-9000. We are here to fight for you and your family.
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Disclaimer: This post is not intended as a solicitation for business. None of the information contained herein should be construed as medical or legal advice. Additionally, please be aware that the photo featured in this post was not taken at the accident scene.
