Ohio troopers identify driver in deadly semi truck hit-skip as Cleveland man

Editor’s Note: This story contains previous video from 19 News.

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol says troopers have identified the driver of a semi-truck suspected in a deadly hit-skip in Tuscarawas County.

The driver is a 59-year-old Cleveland man whose name was not released. The highway patrol said the case is now with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the highway patrol, on Oct. 24 a semi-truck was driving north on IR-77 when he tried to make a U-turn through the median crossover near Strasburg.

Troopers said a second vehicle, driven by 78-year-old Dennis Alsept, was also driving north in the left lane of IR-77.

RELATED STORY: Troopers looking for semi driver suspect in fatal hit-skip of Tuscarawas County 78-year-old

Alsept then hit the semi, according to the highway patrol.

“He was a great man, he loved his family,” Alsept’s son-in-law, Andy Donaldson, said. “His family was his everything.”

Troopers said that the semi pulled onto the beam in the median and then continued going south on IR-77.

According to the highway patrol, Alsept was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

On Oct. 31, he died from those injuries.

“Accidents happen, however, he made a tragic mistake that day,” Donaldson said.

The crash remains under investigation, and the highway patrol said charges against the driver are forthcoming.

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