Crews responded to reports of a crash between a semi-truck and U-Haul truck around 8:43 a.m. on U.S. 35 at Trebein/Valley Road, according to the Highway Patrol.
According to Sgt. Jennifer Soderquist of OSHP, the semi, which was traveling eastbound in the right lane on U.S. 35, had stopped at the intersection for a red light. The U-Haul, pulling a trailer, struck the back of the tractor-trailer at enough speed to cause dramatic front-end damage.
A dog in the U-Haul was killed as well, according to the Highway Patrol.
While the crash remains under investigation, Soderquist indicated early-morning sun could have been a factor in the crash.
“At sunrise, when the sun could be in your eyes when you’re traveling that direction, you do have to be aware,” she said.
The semi driver, from Georgia, was examined by medics on the scene Saturday morning and was uninjured.
U.S. 35 eastbound was closed from Orchard Lane to the Trebein Road area Saturday morning. All lanes have since reopened, according to Ohio Department of Transportation’s OH-GO dashboard.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Beavercreek Twp. Fire and EMS, Ohio Department of Transportation, the Greene County Coroner’s Office and Sandy’s Towing
U.S. 35 has been under construction at the Trebein and Valley Road intersection for over a year, as contractors for the Ohio Department of Transportation are turning what had been a traffic light intersection into a full highway exit.
Just a few days ago, the traffic pattern changed, as traffic on westbound U.S. 35 was shifted to the north so work could continue on another part of the project.
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