TROY — CareFlight was called to transport a patient from the scene of a two-vehicle crash on I-75 on Sunday evening.
Troopers from the Piqua post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, along with Troy Fire Department medics and an engine, responded to a two-vehicle crash on southbound I-75 at the 75/4 mile marker, near State Route 41, shortly after 10 p.m.
First responders found a small pickup truck against the wall and a car off the highway on the right-hand side of the road. Two occupants of the pickup truck were transported by Troy medics to KHN’s Troy Hospital for treatment. The driver, and lone occupant, of the car was transported to Miami Valley Hospital aboard CareFlight. He was trapped in his vehicle for a short time until Troy firefighters could extricate him with the help of hydraulic tools.
Sgt. Jeff Kramer of the Piqua post of OSP said that the Nissan pickup truck, driven by Jesse Hartman, 30, of Piqua, had slowed due to apparent mechanical difficulties and was attempting to make it to the exit ramp at Exit 74 when the driver of the southbound Buick, Patrick Otte, 42, of Dayton, failed to see the pickup truck in time and struck the pickup truck from behind.
“It’s a case of assured clear distance,” said Kramer. “You still have to be mindful of watching ahead.”
Otte was wearing a seat belt. He was not listed as a patient at Miami Valley Hospital as of Monday morning, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
Interstate 75 was briefly closed in both directions until CareFlight cleared the area. Northbound I-75 was immediately re-opened. One lane of southbound I-75 was re-opened as soon as CareFlight departed.
