Springfield man ID’d in deadly semi crash on state Route 235 in Greene County

One person was killed in a crash after a semi-truck rolled onto its side on state Route 235 near Byron Road in Bath Twp. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. BILL LACKEY / STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

One person was killed in a crash after a semi-truck rolled onto its side on state Route 235 near Byron Road in Bath Twp. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. BILL LACKEY / STAFF

A Springfield man died after a semi-truck drove off the road Tuesday morning and overturned on state Route 235 just outside Fairborn in Bath Twp.

Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the man as 68-year-old Julian B. Hill in a press release.

He was the only person in the semi-truck and appeared to have been wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, OSHP Lt. Robert Hilderbrandt.

Troopers were called to the crash on state Route 235 north near North Byron Road just after 11 a.m.

“When we arrived on scene we found a tractor-trailer off the right side of the roadway,” said Hilderbrandt. “It had overturned and the driver was deceased.”

A preliminary investigation indicates the driver drove off the right side of the road and was unable to bring the semi back onto the road, he said.

“With the witness statement we received earlier he was the only vehicle involved,” Hilderbrandt added. “There weren’t any other vehicles in the immediate area other than the witness directly behind him.”

He also noted the ground drops off on the side of the road, which could have made it difficult for the driver to get back on the road.

“With the grade of that ditch it could be very hard, so we just ask drivers to please pay attention and keep your eyes on the road all the time,” he said.

The crash closed state Route 235 for hours while troopers investigated and crews cleared the road.

Fairborn Fire and EMS, Bath Twp. Fire and EMS, Fairborn police, Greene County sheriff’s deputies and the Ohio Department of Transportation assisted OSHP at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation. We will continue to update this story as more information is available.

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