Tower Down - 07.21.20 (OH) "Updated 11.23.22"

[rreschran]

Sandusky man killed on Turnpike 

 

 

UPDATE:

The Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the other person killed as 45-year-old Darren Hebner, of Mentor. Hebner was the driver of the disabled vehicle.

 

Troopers said all three vehicles were damaged in the crash, and that the investigation of the incident is ongoing. They also released new information on the driver who allegedly struck and killed the two men.

 

"It was determined that Zachary Santoro was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and impairment is suspected," according to an updated news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

 

No criminal charges have yet been filed, the release states.

 

Original post

HENRIETTA TWP. — A Sandusky man and another man were killed late Tuesday in a roadside accident on the Ohio Turnpike.

 

Eric Ackerman, 44, a tow truck operator, was assisting the driver of disabled vehicle when both he and the driver were hit by a pickup, according to a news release from the state Highway Patrol. The identity of the second man killed was not released pending notification of his family.

 

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene, the Patrol said.

 

Ackerman, who worked for Interstate Towing of Norwalk, and the other man, were both outside their vehicles on the right shoulder of the Turnpike eastbound, loading two jet skis from a trailer of the disabled vehicle onto the wrecker when they were hit, the Patrol said. The accident happened near mile marker 132 at about 11:23 p.m.

 

Ackerman was was wearing a reflective vest at the time of the crash and the tow truck's overhead emergency lights were activated.

 

The pickup went airborne after hitting the men, the trailer and the tow truck, overturning and landing upside down in the right lane. The driver of the 2009 Chevrolet 2500 pickup, Zachary Santoro, 30, of Bellevue, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Mercy Health-Lorain Hospital by ambulance.

 

"The crash scene remains active at this time and the investigation is ongoing. Traffic is currently being restricted to pass on the left shoulder and the roadway is expected to fully reopen without restriction at approximately 4:30 a.m.," the Patrol's news release said.

 

Editor's note: This story was edited to fix a mistake in the Patrol's original news release.

 

Link:  https://sanduskyregister.com/news/268098/sandusky-man-killed-on-turnpike/

[Greg Cravens]

So sorry for the loved ones.

[Old Tow]

We here at Rick's Towing are lifting the loved ones of both men up to the Lord in our prayers !

[rreschran]

Hi Greg ... Welcome to the forum. How are you and your Mom doing in that 116-melting pot?

Edited July 23, 2020 by rreschran

[5towman]

Thoughts and prayers. Another senseless death by an “impaired driver”.  

[LisaJones]

My condolences to the families, friends, and coworkers of the men lost in this tragedy. 

If I can in be a help in any capacity big or small please do not hesitate to contact me.

I pray the lord lay his hand on your shoulders provide all of you the strength necessary and ease the hurt in your hearts

Lisa Jones

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

Praying for the families, friends and co-works of the great men that were lost in this tragedy.

[mushspeed]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eric's  family, friends and co workers....

 

Please convey our sincere condolences  from the UK  Towing and Recovery industry 

 

Another hard working towers life taken by a senseless preventable act...

 

Rest in peace Eric ...

[Old Tow]

10 hours ago, rreschran said:

Hi Greg ... Welcome to the forum. How are you and your Mom doing in that 116-melting pot?

Randell, 116 is considerable cooler than the 121 here at our yard. 😂

[rreschran]

121 ? ? ? Where do you live ... on the Sun? It must be a dry heat right? God Bless you ... I personally wouldn't have a prayer due to medical meltation.    R.

[GRUMPS The Towman]

UUGHH... We have been in a heat wave here with mid 90's and 100% humidity... Im ready for winter... for both the cool down and the WORK..😁

[Greg Cravens]

16 hours ago, rreschran said:

Hi Greg ... Welcome to the forum. How are you and your Mom doing in that 116-melting pot?

We are actually trying to "enjoy" our first Monsoon of the season, coming very late. We barely got any precipitation today, but it was wayyyyy cooler, down to only 100-degrees today!!

[rreschran]

If ya' line a pickup truck's bed with a plastic shower curtain, you'll have an instant spa if it continues to rain. How redneck is that right Greg?     R.

[TowZone]

Special procession held to honor tow truck driver killed while helping motorist on turnpike

 

 

RESOURCE LINK

[Greg Cravens]

Very beautiful to see so many folks come out to support the family and friends of the fallen tow operator. My sympathies.

[Doreen ur Finance Lady]

OMG how beautiful

[TowNews]

 

[yoBdaBenO]

This happens way to often and if we can be reactive why can't we be more proactive?

 

Our condolences to the family, each and every life lost is tragic and hits home when its a tow operator.

[TowNews]

Huron County man sentenced to prison in Ohio Turnpike traffic crash that left two dead

 

A 33-year-old Bellvue man was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in prison in connection to a traffic collision that left two men dead in 2020.

 

Zachary Santoro, of 1021 E. Main St. in Huron County, was sentenced by Lorain County Common Pleas Judge Mark Betleski on Nov. 21 to prison, but he could get three years added to his sentence if he doesn’t comply with orders while in the prison, said a court spokesperson.

 

Santoro was impaired and later charged as such when the vehicle he was driving crashed into Darren Hebner and Eric Ackerman on July 21, 2020, on the Ohio Turnpike, the spokesperson said.

 

Ackerman was operating a tow truck to assist Hebner when the wreck occurred.

 

 

RESOURCE LINK