No charges for Ohio Turnpike snowplow driver

SANDUSKY — The snowplow driver that caused a 55-car crash in Erie County this past winter will not be criminally charged. On Wednesday, an Erie County grand jury declined to indict the turnpike employee, a 54-year-old Berea man, on two counts of vehicular assault and one count of inducing panic brought forth by the Erie County prosecutor's office. The charges stemmed from a Jan. 23 incident in which 18 people were injured. A video posted online showed the plow showering oncoming highway traffic in slush and debris as he plowed the shoulder of the westbound lane of the Ohio Turnpike near the Milan Road (U.S. 250) exit in Milan. The Ohio Turnpike Commission released a statement shortly afterward announcing they fired the driver and that the Ohio State Highway Patrol was investigating the incident. Lt. Brett Gockstetter, commander of the Milan Ohio State Highway Patrol post, said of the 18 injuries, two were serious, 10 were minor and six were only possible injuries. The most serious injuries were face lacerations and one broken nose, Gockstetter said. Officials said 51 people filed property damage claims to the Ohio Turnpike Commission stemming from the incident. It is not known what the total amount of damage was from the incident. -- Appreciate news from your community? Click here to subscribe to the Register.