A fatal crash early Thursday morning on northbound I-75 in Wood County has left Jessica Miller dead and two others injured, after a rear-end collision involving a minivan and a box truck in an active road construction zone.
The crash occurred at approximately 4:20 a.m. near the I-475 interchange in Perrysburg Township, an area where traffic was already impacted by ongoing road work. According to investigators, a Freightliner M2 box truck driven by 54-year-old Joel Settlemire of Findlay was stopped in the middle lane due to conditions within the work zone when the collision occurred.
Authorities say a Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Jessica Miller failed to maintain an assured clear distance and struck the rear of the stationary truck. The impact caused severe damage to the minivan and resulted in critical consequences for all occupants inside the vehicle.
Troopers reported that seatbelt use was a factor in the severity of injuries. None of the three occupants in the minivan were properly restrained at the time of the crash. Miller was wearing only a lap belt, while 38-year-old David Miller and a 9-year-old girl were found in the rear seats without seatbelts, according to investigators.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived quickly at the scene and worked to provide urgent medical care. Miller was transported to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, where she was later pronounced deceased due to the severity of her injuries. David Miller sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalized, while the child suffered minor injuries and was taken for medical evaluation.
The crash highlights ongoing concerns about highway safety in active construction zones, where sudden stops, reduced visibility, and lane shifts can significantly increase collision risk. Authorities continue to investigate all contributing factors, including traffic conditions at the time, driver response, and roadway setup within the work zone.
Officials are urging drivers to exercise heightened caution in construction areas, maintain safe following distances, and remain fully alert—especially during early morning hours when visibility is reduced and traffic patterns may change unexpectedly.
The investigation remains ongoing as troopers work to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the crash and finalize their findings.