WEST SALEM — A Town & Country Fire District firefighter died and a state trooper was injured Monday afternoon as they investigated a crash along Interstate 71, near state Route 301.
A Highway Patrol news release said Lt. Philip M. Wigal, 35, died on the scene.
Trooper Steven B. Hill, 37, from the Ashland post, was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Troopers were dispatched to a crash Monday at 3:14 p.m. with minor injuries that happened in the southbound lanes of Interstate 71, just south of state Route 301 in Wayne County, according to the news release.
Town & Country Fire District, a fire department that covers Homer Township in Medina County and other villages and townships in Wayne County, responded to the crash.
Troopers from the Ashland post also responded.
“During that time, the investigating trooper was completing documentation near the vehicle, prior to it being towed from the scene, while one of the firefighters was completing additional documentation for their report,” authorities stated.
Around 45 minutes later, a “southbound commercial motor vehicle” hit a fire truck on the scene from behind. The impact caused the fire truck to then strike Hill’s cruiser and the vehicle that was involved in the original crash.
“The firefighter and trooper, who were still at the original vehicle, were also struck at that time,” the news release said.
The driver of the commercial vehicle was Edyt A. Hernandez, 41, of Hialeah, Fla. He was taken to a hospital for minor injuries.
Town & County Fire Chief Adam Hory said Lt. Wigal began his career with the fire department in August of 2006 as a part-time firefighter. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2011 and he was hired as a full-time employee in May 2014.
Court records do not show that any charges have been filed against Hernandez.
In honor of the life and legacy of Town and Country Fire District Lt. Philip Wigal, Governor DeWine has ordered that flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Wayne County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower.
Flags shall remain lowered until sunset on the day of his funeral.
All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ashland post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
