Milan Post investigating fatal crash on turnpike

RILEY TOWNSHIP — The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash. The crash occurred at 7:06 a.m. Tuesday on the Ohio Turnpike near milepost 94 in Sandusky County, east of the State Route 53 interchange. According to OSHP, the preliminary investigation revealed that a westbound 2008 Honda CRV, operated by Avery Wayne Pierce Jr., 34, of Ashburn, Virginia, drove off the right side of the roadway and struck the right rear trailer of a 2020 Freightliner tractor-trailer that was disabled on the right shoulder. The disabled commercial tractor-trailer did have reflective safety triangles displayed on the rear of the tractor-trailer. The 2020 Freightliner was occupied by Festus Cenatus,62, of Apopka, Florida. Cenatus was not injured. Pierce suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to OSHP. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Clyde Fire Department, Sandusky County Coroner's Office, Sandusky County EMS, Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, and Madison's Towing Service. According to OSHP, the crash remains under investigation at this time. Alcohol use appears to be a factor in this crash and Mr. Pierce was not wearing a safety belt.