Canfield, OH (October 16, 2025) – A tragic crash on Thursday morning claimed the life of an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper and left another person seriously injured in Canfield.
Accident Details: The collision occurred shortly before noon on State Route 11 near the area of a disabled semi-truck. Trooper Nicholas Cayton, 40, had stopped to assist the stranded driver after reports that the semi had struck an object in the roadway. Cayton was inside his marked patrol cruiser with emergency lights activated when a Mack Granite truck traveling along the highway slammed into the rear of his vehicle.
The force of the impact pushed Cayton’s cruiser forward into the disabled semi, striking the semi driver who was standing outside. Emergency personnel arrived quickly but were unable to save Cayton, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi driver was airlifted to a nearby hospital. The Mack truck driver was not hurt, officials confirmed.
The crash remains under investigation.
Investigation: Investigators will be analyzing several aspects of the collision to determine what caused the Mack truck to strike the stationary patrol cruiser. Key areas of focus include:
- Speed and following distance. Officers will review whether the truck was traveling too fast for traffic conditions, and whether the proper distance was maintained.
- Driver attention. Investigators will assess whether distraction, fatigue, or visibility issues contributed to the driver’s failure to recognize the stopped cruiser with emergency lights activated.
- Mechanical condition. The Mack truck’s braking system, tires, and maintenance history will be examined to rule out equipment failure.
- Scene evidence. Investigators will map the crash site, measure skid marks, and document vehicle resting positions to reconstruct how the impact sequence unfolded.
- Data and surveillance footage. Electronic logging devices, dash cameras, and nearby surveillance footage may provide valuable time-stamped information about speed, braking, and lane positioning before the collision.
Accident reconstruction will help identify the sequence of events that led up to the crash and clarify how the impact occurred.
Legal Considerations: Motorists must drive cautiously and be aware of any changes in traffic. Violating this duty can be deemed negligent, especially when it results in serious injury or death.
If investigators determine that negligence or reckless driving contributed to the crash, the family of Trooper Cayton may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim. Similarly, the injured semi-truck driver may be able to file a personal injury claim. Such claims allow surviving family members and injured parties to seek compensation for their damages.
I offer my condolences to Trooper Nicholas Cayton’s family, friends, and fellow officers during this difficult time. I wish the injured semi-truck driver a fast recovery.
Source: WLWT 5