Richland County, Ohio (March 25, 2026) — A 73-year-old man was critically injured, and a 75-year-old woman was hurt after a box truck struck their parked vehicle along Interstate 71, according to authorities. The victims were identified as Harold Merz and Brenda Merz, both of Westerville.
The crash occurred along northbound Interstate 71 in Richland County.
Incident Details: According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Merzes were inside a parked 2021 Toyota RAV4 on the right shoulder of the interstate when the crash occurred.
Authorities said a 2023 Freightliner box truck, driven by a 39-year-old man from North Royalton, was traveling northbound in the right lane when it veered onto the shoulder and struck the parked SUV.
The impact caused significant damage to the RAV4 and required emergency responders to extricate Harold Merz from the vehicle. He sustained serious injuries and was transported by MedFlight to Ohio State University Hospital in Columbus for advanced care.
Brenda Merz suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital for treatment.
The condition of the box truck driver has not been reported.