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Cause of Fatal 14-Vehicle Pileup Revealed

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The cause of a fatal 14-vehicle pileup in Ohio has been released.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, at approximately 8:00 a.m., on US 24 and County Road 87 in Crane Township, when 28-year-old Ashley A. Messmann attempted to cross US 24 and failed to yield to an oncoming truck driven by Dale D. Janssens.

Messmann’s 2000 Chevy Blazer was struck by Janssen’s 2007 Volvo.  Messmann died at the scene.

“We believe it was due to the dense fog in the area at the time, and then a pileup ensued after that,” Ohio State Trooper Deb Tracey said.

According to the Journal Gazette, visibility was less than 100 feet.

The first crash set off a chain reaction of subsequent crashes.  In all, 11 trucks, 2 cars and 1 pickup were involved in the pileup.

Nine people were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

According to the Progressive Newspaper, the following drivers were involved in the subsequent crashes:

• Billy E. Pursley Jr., age 49, from Loudonville, driving a 2013 Peterbilt semi

• Gary J. Schleinkofer, age 46, from Fort Wayne, driving a 2012 Nissan

• Russell D. Williams, age 38, from Auburn, Ind., driving a 2012 GMC dually pickup

• Mark T. Van Deilen, age 57, from Toledo, driving a 2011 Mack semi

• Herbert E. Anderson III, age 54, from Anderson, Ind., driving a 2006 Freightliner semi

• Larry N. Dugat, age 59, from Dixon, Mo., driving a 2012 Peterbilt semi

• Tommy R. Chandler, age 60, from Fort Wayne, driving a 2011 Mack semi

• Floyd E. Atha, age 62, from Scottsburg, Ind., driving a 2007 International semi

• Harry J. Suddon, age 67, from Brighton, Mich., driving 2012 Volvo semi

• Kyle M. Cavaleri, age 43, from Panama City, Fla., driving a 2011 International semi

• Douglas E. Bair, age 54, from Findlay, driving a 2010 Freightliner semi

• David D. Higgins, age 56, from Defiance, driving a 1994 Chrysler minivan.

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