Forklift operator dies after Route 736 crash
A 24-year-old man died Tuesday after the forklift he was operating was struck by a semi-truck on Route 736 near Adams Road.
The crash occurred at approximately 7:02 a.m. in the 10000 block of Route 736, according to the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the preliminary investigation, the forklift was being used to remove building materials from a stationary semi-truck and trailer parked in the southbound lane in front of a residence. The forklift was actively removing materials when it was struck by a northbound 2013 Peterbilt traveling on Route 736.
The impact sent the Peterbilt off the east side of the roadway, where it came to rest in a residential yard. The forklift spun and came to rest in the northbound lane.
The forklift operator was ejected during the crash and landed in the ditch along the roadway.
The man was transported from the scene by Pleasant Valley EMS to Riverside Hospital for treatment. He was later pronounced dead by medical personnel at the hospital.
After the initial crash was stabilized, a 2018 Kenworth subsequently struck the forklift. The Kenworth came to a stop a short distance north of the initial crash scene.
A commercial enforcement trooper responded to assist with the investigation. The trooper determined that the loads being carried by both the 2013 Peterbilt and the 2018 Kenworth exceeded the legally permitted weight for the roadway.
The Peterbilt was overweight by 5,500 pounds, while the Kenworth exceeded the permitted weight by 6,100 pounds. The trooper issued citations for the overweight violations.
The crash remains under investigation by the Union County Sheriff’s Office.
The Darby Township Public Safety Officer, Union County sheriff’s deputies and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers responded to the scene. The investigation also was assisted by the Ohio Department of Transportation, Marysville Division of Fire, Pleasant Valley Fire District and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
