Ohio State Highway Patrol Investigates Fatal I-71 Crash in Medina County

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is investigating a tragic accident that claimed two lives on Thursday night in Medina County. The fatal crash occurred around 10:12 p.m. on Interstate 71 in Westfield Township, involving multiple vehicles and leaving authorities searching for answers.

According to initial OSHP reports, the incident began when a Volvo commercial vehicle, traveling southbound on I-71, became immobilized in the right lane. Moments later, a 2018 Chevrolet Trax, also heading southbound, collided with the disabled Volvo. Tragically, both drivers, identified as Mark McGraw from West Salem and 68-year-old David Brown from Cincinnati, lost their lives at the scene due to the severity of the collision.

In a turn of events adding complexity to the investigation, a third unidentified vehicle – described by witnesses as a maroon or red commercial vehicle – also struck the Volvo before leaving the scene. OSHP is actively searching for this vehicle and urges any witnesses or individuals with relevant information to come forward, as locating this third vehicle could be critical to the investigation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was joined by the Medina County Sheriff’s Department, Westfield Township Fire and EMS, Seville Guilford Fire and EMS, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and Bear’s Towing in their response to the scene. The collaborative effort helped manage traffic, provide emergency aid, and remove damaged vehicles from the highway.

As authorities work to piece together the sequence of events leading to the fatal collision, they are examining several possible contributing factors, including the cause of the Volvo’s breakdown and the nature of the third vehicle’s involvement. I-71 southbound traffic in the area was temporarily diverted to allow first responders to address the accident scene.

The OSHP is asking anyone with information regarding the third vehicle to contact them as soon as possible to assist with the investigation.