Shawnee Township, Ohio (February 28, 2026) — A father and his young son were killed Saturday evening in a multi-vehicle crash involving two semi-trucks and several passenger vehicles on Interstate 75 near Cridersville, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Hurshel Gipson, 52, and his 11-year-old son, Michael Gipson, both of Lima. Both were passengers in a Buick Enclave involved in the crash and were pronounced dead at the scene.
The collision occurred around 8:15 p.m. on northbound Interstate 75 just north of Cridersville in Shawnee Township.
Incident Details: According to investigators, a 2017 Great Dane semi-truck driven by 53-year-old Yvio Michel of Boynton Beach, Florida, was traveling northbound when it approached traffic that had slowed or stopped on the interstate.
Authorities said Michel failed to maintain a safe following distance and crashed into a chain of vehicles ahead. The semi-truck struck four passenger vehicles and another commercial truck, triggering a large multi-vehicle collision.
The vehicles involved included a 2015 Buick Enclave driven by Amanda Gipson, 45, of Lima; a 2009 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Kayla Route, 28, of Mason; a 2022 Ford F-150 driven by Ronald Foley, 58, of Ypsilanti, Michigan; a 2014 Mazda CX-9 driven by Cynthia Harter, 66, of Grand Rapids; and a 2017 Wabash semi-truck driven by Jason Ford, 46, of Cincinnati.
Hurshel Gipson and Michael Gipson, who were riding in the Buick Enclave, sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Amanda Gipson, the driver of the Buick and wife and mother of the victims, was transported to Mercy Health–St. Rita’s Medical Center with serious injuries. Kayla Route, the driver of the Chevrolet Traverse, was also hospitalized with serious injuries.
Yvio Michel, the semi-truck driver, and Ronald Foley were transported to Lima Memorial Health System with injuries described as non-life-threatening. Cynthia Harter and Jason Ford were evaluated at the scene and did not require hospitalization.
Investigation: The Ohio State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the chain-reaction crash.
In multi-vehicle interstate collisions, investigators typically examine traffic conditions, driver reaction times, vehicle spacing, and braking evidence. Because large commercial trucks require significantly longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles, maintaining adequate following distance is a critical safety factor.
Crash reconstruction teams will likely analyze skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and electronic data from the involved vehicles, including event data recorders that may reveal speed and braking activity before impact. Investigators may also review traffic camera footage and statements from witnesses who observed the collision.
At this time, authorities have not announced whether any citations or charges will be filed. The investigation remains ongoing.
Legal Considerations: Multi-vehicle collisions involving commercial trucks often raise complex liability issues. Investigators and attorneys typically evaluate whether the truck driver maintained a safe following distance, maintained a proper speed for traffic conditions, and remained attentive to traffic patterns ahead.
The Gipson family has potential legal recourse, pending the investigation’s conclusion. They may pursue wrongful death claims for Michael and Hurshel Gipson. Additionally, the injured individuals, including Amanda Gipson, could file personal injury claims. These actions would seek to recover damages for significant losses, such as medical and funeral expenses, as well as the substantial emotional and financial burdens caused by the crash.
I offer my deepest condolences to the Gipson family and everyone impacted by this tragic crash.
Source: Yahoo News