Truck crash closes turnpike for 9 hours

LORDSTOWN -- The Hiram post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash of tractor-trailer that closed a section of the Ohio Turnpike for nine hours.
The driver, Thomas L. McNutt, 54 of Erie, Pa., was taken by air ambulance Thursday to St. Elizabeth Health Center after the 5:59 a.m. crash. A hospital manager said McNutt was in serious condition Thursday night.
The patrol said McNutt was westbound on the turnpike near the Lordstown interchange when he lost control of the rig, which went off the left side of the road. The truck smashed three sections of the concrete median wall.
Both westbound lanes and the outside eastbound lane were closed until 3:21 p.m.
Troopers are still trying to determine why McNutt lost control of the rig. McNutt was wearing a seat belt and was cited for failure to control.