DELAWARE COUNTY, Ohio — A Delaware County judge on Monday set bond at $500,000 for the driver of a semitruck involved in a deadly crash on Interstate 71 that killed three people, including an infant, and seriously injured several others.
The driver, whose name has not yet been released pending formal arraignment, faces multiple counts of aggravated vehicular homicide in connection with the fiery crash that shut down the highway for hours late last week.
According to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, investigators determined the semitruck slammed into a line of vehicles that had slowed in a construction zone near the exit to State Route 36/37. The impact caused several vehicles to catch fire, killing two adults and a baby at the scene.
The Ohio Department of Transportation on Monday released traffic camera footage showing the moments before the collision. The video, which is difficult to watch, appears to show the truck failing to slow down as traffic backed up in the right lane.
Prosecutors argued for a high bond, citing the severity of the charges and the number of victims. The judge agreed, setting bond at $500,000 and ordering that the driver surrender his commercial driver’s license and passport if released.
The Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office said investigators are still reviewing evidence, including crash data and toxicology results, to determine whether additional charges may be filed.
ODOT officials said the crash underscores ongoing safety concerns along I-71’s busy construction corridors. “It’s a tragic reminder of how quickly things can turn deadly when drivers don’t slow down or pay attention,” spokesperson Matt Bruning said.
The names of the victims have not been publicly released pending notification of family members.