Driver Hauling Triples Dies After Hitting Disabled Truck

A truck driver died after his truck hit another truck parked on the westbound lanes of the Ohio Turnpike 27 miles from the Indiana border early Wednesday morning.

The crash occurred when a truck driven by 61-year-old Charles Simon suffered mechanical failure and broke down in the right lane. Because of the mechanical failure, there were no lights on the disabled vehicle. Simon and his co-driver left the truck to try to warn other drivers using flashlights.

Russell Florida, 47, was driving an oncoming triple trailer Conway truck when he hit the disabled truck with such force that witnesses said it sounded like a bomb went off. Florida died on the scene.

The drivers of the disabled truck were not hurt.

Troopers said that Florida had been wearing a seatbelt and that alcohol was probably not a factor.

The westbound lanes were closed for 3 hours for the crash.

Sources:
ABC 13
NBC 24
Toledo News Now
Toledo Blade