Two drivers suffer injuries in I-80 crash

WEATHERSFIELD — Two drivers suffered nonincapacitating injuries in a three-vehicle accident in the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 at 8:46 p.m. Thursday at Salt Springs Road.

The vehicles were a tractor-trailer driven by Ryan Himes, 44, of Vanceburg, Ky.; a crossover SUV driven by Melissa Schmidt, 42, of Stow; and a van driven by Thomas Lawrence, 66, of Broadview Heights.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Southington Post reported that Schmidt was following the tractor-trailer in the left lane. Lawrence was in the right lane. All three were entering an active construction zone.

The tractor-trailer and SUV both stopped in traffic. The van made and abrupt lane change to the left lane and struck the SUV in the rear, pushing it into the rear of the tractor-trailer.

Schmidt was taken to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, and Himes was treated at the scene. Lawrence was cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance ahead.

The crash closed the westbound lanes of the interstate for about one hour. Weathersfield police and fire officials assisted with the investigation.