SUV rams semi on I-75: Another fatal crash boosts Butler County’s total to 5 this year

A driver was killed Wednesday morning when a Toyota SUV rammed into the back of a parked semi truck at the entrance to the rest area near Ohio 63 on Interstate 75, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Fei Ni, also known as “Peter,” 39, of Trenton, has been identified by the patrol as the driver of the SUV. An autopsy is scheduled for today by the Butler County Coroner’s Office.

MORE: Police: Beer came from mouth of driver, 21, after wrong-way crash that killed Mason family

The SUV traveling north on I-75 apparently hit the back of a semi truck that was parked on the left side of the rest area entrance ramp.

Michael Vosburg, 36, Lawrence Mich., was asleep inside the sleeper area of the tractor-trailer when the rear of his vehicle was struck. Vosburg awoke upon the impact but was not injured. He was issued a traffic citation for parking in a no-parking zone.

Sandy’s Towing Service was called and lifted the semi off the Toyota SUV.

The incident was the fifth fatal crash in Butler County this year, according to statistics from the state patrol. There were 28 fatal crashes in Butler County in 2018 and 31 fatalities in the county in 2017.

In the state, there have been 191 fatal crashes this year, and during the same time period in 2018, there were 193.

MORE: Driver inattention causes rollover crash on Ohio 129 ramp in Butler County

At about the same time, another crash, this one much less serious, was reported just south on Ohio 129 exit ramp from Interstate 75 in Liberty Twp.

A Saturn VUE rolled over just after 10 a.m. Wednesday because of driver inattention, according to the state patrol. Jordan Beall, 30, of Springboro, was in the vehicle travelling south when it slid. The vehicle spun and rolled over landing on its driver’s side in the berm between the highway and on-ramp.

The patrol said the accident happened soon after Beall looked down at her GPS unit. Beall sustained minor injuries and was transported to West Chester Hospital.

The fatal accident came three days after three Mason residents were killed when a wrong-way driver crashed into them Sunday night. Abby Michaels, 21, of Xenia, allegedly was driving north on I-75 near Moraine when she turned into a paved turnaround on the interstate, then started driving north in the southbound lanes.

Timmy Thompson, 51, Karen Thompson, 50, and their 10-year-old daughter, Tessa Thompson, were killed in the accident. The father and daughter were pronounced dead at the scene and the mother died at Kettering Hospital, police said.

Police believe alcohol was involved in the accident. Michaels had what medics described as beer “coming from her mouth” and she was dressed in St. Patrick’s Day attire, according to Moraine police records.

She could face three vehicular homicide charges, police said.

Michaels was transported to Miami Valley Hospital where she was in serious condition Wednesday.

Staff writer Michael Pitman contributed to this report.

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