AKRON, Ohio — The identity of the driver of the tanker truck that fell off a bridge and caught fire in Summit County has been revealed. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Summit County Sheriff's Office said on Saturday, the tanker truck attempted to enter Interstate 271 north in Northfield off of northbound State Route 8

  • The tanker truck then fell off the side of the bridge and burst into flames in State Route 8's northbound lanes

  • Drivers who need to head southbound on State Route 8 can use this detour: State Route 82 to Interstate 480 to State Route 91 to State Route 303 and back to State Route 8
  • Those trying to access Interstate 271 northbound from State Route 8 northbound can also do so with State Route 82

The Summit County medical examiner's office said Monday that 31-year-old Jason Thomas Stevens of Ashtabula died of multiple blunt-force injuries after the 9:15 a.m. Saturday crash at the ramp to Interstate 271 at State Route 8 in Northfield Center Township in the Akron suburbs. His death was ruled accidental.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office said on Saturday, the tanker truck attempted to enter Interstate 271 north in Northfield off of northbound State Route 8. The tanker truck then fell off the side of the bridge and burst into flames in State Route 8's northbound lanes. 

ODOT said crews have been working with contractors to inspect the roadways and bridges affected by the crash. As crews continue to inspect the affected areas, they expect traffic to be heavily impacted. 

“Safety will always be our top priority. We know that keeping these closures in place is a major inconvenience to thousands of motorists, but we will never trade convenience for safety,” said ODOT District 4 Deputy Director Gery Noirot in a press release. “Our team will be working hand in hand with contractors to make emergency repairs and reopen the closed roadways and bridges as soon as we deem it safe to do so.”

So far, inspectors said repairs will need to made to the roadway on the south end of the State Route 8 bridge over Brandywide Creek. ODOT said the top layer will need to be milled off and replaced. Work for this project is expected to be completed by the end of the week, ODOT said. 

ODOT also said while initial inspections of the ramp from Interstate 271 to State Route 8 didn't reveal immediate concerns, more detailed inspections will need to be done to make sure there is no structural damage. The same goes for the flyover ramp that carries northbound State Route 8 to northbound Interstate 271. 

“We hope to have all inspections completed and a full plan of action in place by early this week,” said Noirot. “One of the challenges will be the weather.”

While crews continue to inspect the area, drivers who need to head southbound on State Route 8 can use this detour: State Route 82 to Interstate 480 to State Route 91 to State Route 303 and back to State Route 8. 

Those trying to access Interstate 271 northbound from State Route 8 northbound can also do so with State Route 82. 

“Motorists should plan ahead and give themselves plenty of extra time during their commute in the upcoming week,” Noirot added. “Please continue to check OHGO daily to find the easiest way around these closures.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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