Mason, Ohio – One person has tragically lost their life after a collision involving a semi-truck that resulted in the closure of southbound lanes on I-71 on Thursday morning, according to the Ohio State Patrol. The crash, which occurred around 1:40 a.m., involved two vehicles and led to the shutdown of I-71 southbound from Western Row to Mason-Montgomery/Fields Ertel.
The aftermath of the crash forced authorities to work tirelessly to clean up the debris and fluid spilled on the interstate. Emergency crews were seen attending to a semi-truck that had overturned, with an SUV also involved in the collision, displaying severe damage to its front end. The closure of the southbound lanes caused significant traffic disruption in the Kings Island area near Mason, a busy stretch heavily impacted by the morning commute.
Throughout the morning, traffic diversions were put in place, with delays extending up to half a mile from the crash site. Northbound lanes were also affected, with debris from the collision scattering onto those lanes. As officials continue their investigation, the full extent of injuries and the number of individuals involved in the crash remain unknown.
The southbound lanes began to reopen around 7:30 a.m. following hours of closure, with authorities anticipating the release of more detailed information soon. The Ohio State Patrol, in collaboration with local law enforcement, are working diligently to clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow. Despite the partial reopening, the situation is continuously developing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.