Credit: DaytonDailyNews
Blankenship was struck while walking on the interstate, which is off limits to pedestrians, the patrol said in a press release. Other than that, little is known about what led to the accident, including why Blankenship was walking on the interstate or where he was going, Johnson said.
What they do know is that when Blankenship was initially struck by a vehicle just before 2 a.m., and the driver fled the scene and left the man’s body in the middle of the highway, Johnson said. The victim was then struck by at least two more vehicles, and drivers of those vehicles called 9-1-1.
Blankenship was dead when crews arrived, so there was nothing they could do save his life, Johnson said.
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Officers don’t know what type of vehicle initially struck Blankenship, Johnson said, but they are asking the public for help in finding the driver. Anyone who may have been in the area and saw the accident is ask to call the Piqua post immediately at 937-773-1131.
The highway was shut down for more than three hours, but reopened just before 6 a.m.
FIRST REPORT
A fatal crash on I-75 north, between state routes 47 and 29, in Sidney has stalled traffic for nearly two hours early Wednesday.
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Two separate single-car crashes occurred at the location around 2 a.m., and one is fatal, an Ohio State Highway Patrol dispatcher said.
We’re sending a crew to the scene, and we’ll bring you the latest information when it’s available.
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