Utility Trailer Becomes Unhitched, Causes Four-Vehicle Accident in Canton

A utility trailer became unhitched from a pickup truck, resulting in a four-vehicle accident on Friday morning. The incident occurred on Interstate 77 in Canton, Ohio, causing lane closures and slowing down traffic.

According to the Canton police, the accident took place around 7:22 a.m. north of the 13th Street NW exit at Mercy Medical Center. All four vehicles involved were traveling south on I-77. A preliminary police report indicated that a 62-year-old woman from New Franklin was taken to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital by Canton fire paramedics for minor injuries. However, occupants of the other three vehicles did not appear to be injured.

The scene was cleared by approximately 10:07 a.m., as confirmed by an Ohio State Highway Patrol dispatcher who referred to video footage from an Ohio Department of Transportation highway camera. During this time, the Fulton Road exit had been temporarily closed due to the accident. An ODOT camera showed halted traffic along the highway at around 8 a.m.

Investigations revealed that when the utility trailer became unhitched, it was only attached to the truck with emergency chains. This caused it to sway back and forth and collide with other vehicles on its path.

Police have cited a 66-year-old man from Nimishillen Township for failing to secure his load properly onto his vehicle—a violation that led to this unfortunate chain of events. The man was driving a 2014 Ford F-150 pickup truck accompanied by a passenger who remained uninjured throughout the incident.

As a result of the mishap, another driver—a 58-year-old man from Smith Township—swerved his Chrysler 300 vehicle upon encountering the detached trailer before colliding with another Chevy vehicle driven by a woman from New Franklin aged sixty-two years old. Subsequently, this Chevy vehicle struck yet another pickup truck, a 2017 Ford F-15 being driven by a sixty-one-year-old woman from Jackson Township.

Two of the vehicles involved in the accident sustained significant damage that rendered them inoperable. However, police did not find any initial signs of alcohol or drug use among the four drivers.

The incident serves as a reminder for all motorists to ensure their loads are securely fastened before hitting the road. Neglecting this crucial safety measure can lead to severe accidents and endanger lives.

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If you or a loved one was a victim in this or a similar accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

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