Driver identified in deadly crash after truck hits pole in Moorefield Twp.

Credit: Marshall Gorby

Credit: Marshall Gorby

Officials have identified the man who died Monday night after his pickup truck crashed into a pole in Moorefield Twp.

Douglas Burkepile, 69, German Twp., died of injuries suffered in the crash, according to the Springfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The crash happened about 8:55 p.m. in the 2600 block of St. Paris Pike just south of Baker Road in Moorefield Twp.

Preliminary investigation revealed Burkepile was headed north in a 2002 Dodge Dakota on St. Paris Pike when it went off the right side of the road and overcorrected, traveling back into the roadway. The pickup then traveled across both lanes of St. Paris Pike and off the left side of the roadway, striking a utility pole.

Sgt. Ryan May said Burkepile, who was the only person in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt, May said, and alcohol or drugs are not suspected. The sergeant also said that a witness said the truck was driving about the speed limit at the time of the crash.

A pole was broken at the scene and was held up by the attached power lines.

St. Paris Pike was closed for a few hours while Ohio Edison worked to replace it, May said.

Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Moorefield Twp. Fire Department & EMS, Clark County Coroner’s Office, Ohio Edison and Maine’s Towing. The crash remains under investigation.

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