Five dead in head-on Ohio crash involving semi and van

Officials in Ohio have confirmed multiple people were killed in a crash that shut down both directions of State Route 44 on Monday.

The crash occurred around 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 22, on S.R. 44 between S.R. 87 and Pekin Road in Newbury Township, Ohio.

The crash involved a 2003 Ford Econoline Van and a semi truck hauling a flatbed trailer. The initial investigation indicates that this was a head-on crash, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Five people traveling inside the van, including the van driver, are confirmed dead.

At least two others, including the semi truck driver, were injured in the crash.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is asking drivers to avoid the area.