4th victim identified in turnpike crash

GROTON TWP. — The Ohio State Highway Patrol on Tuesday released the fourth-known victim to die in Friday's Ohio Turnpike incident, which resulted in a 40-plus-vehicle pileup on the toll road. "The motorist has been identified as Francisco Gutierrez-Martinez, 30, Cleveland," according to patrol Sgt. Ryan Purpura, who works for the agency's superintendent office in Bowling Green. On Sunday, authorities revealed the other three people who succumbed to their injuries: Bernard M. Bloniarz, 59, of Napoleon, Ohio; Julie E. Roth, 37, of Toledo; and Emma L. Smith, 19, of Webberville, Michigan. Purpura previously provided more information about Friday's incident leading to their deaths. "The Ohio State Highway Patrol along with many of our partner public safety agencies spent many hours investigating a crash involving at least 46 vehicles," according to a patrol release, noting this incident occurred just after 12:30 p.m. at mile-marker 106. It's located between the Ohio 53 and Ohio 4 exits bordering the counties of Erie and Sandusky counties. It's not known exactly how many people suffered injuries or to what extent. Purpura noted, "Weather is considered to be a factor."