LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio — Najalee N. Rivera, 28, of Lorain, Ohio, was killed, while a 7-year-old boy, an 8-year-old girl, and a 4-year-old girl were injured in a devastating rollover crash on the Ohio Turnpike on Friday morning. The tragic accident occurred in Elyria Township and has left family members and the Lorain community searching for answers as authorities continue their investigation into the fatal incident.
The crash happened at approximately 11:54 a.m. on June 19 along the eastbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 146.3. According to preliminary findings from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Rivera was driving a Toyota RAV4 eastbound when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway for reasons that remain under investigation.
Authorities said the SUV struck a guardrail before overturning and coming to rest off the roadway. Emergency personnel responded to the scene, but Rivera suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Investigators also confirmed that she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The three children who were passengers in the vehicle survived the rollover and were transported to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center for treatment. Officials described their injuries as non-life-threatening.
The eastbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike were temporarily closed while emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene. The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the deadly crash. At this time, the identities of the three juvenile passengers have not been publicly released by authorities.
Leave a Reply