CANFIELD — A 40-year-old Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper was struck and killed Thursday morning while assisting a disabled vehicle on Ohio 11 in Mahoning County.
Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton died from injuries sustained during the accident at 11:52 a.m., the patrol said.
Cayton responded to northbound Ohio 11, south of U.S. 224, following reports of a disabled 2024 Kenworth semi tractor-trailer stopped in the right lane.
Upon making contact with the semi driver, Nelson De Jesus Herrera Vasquez, 65, of Florida, it was determined the truck had struck an item in the roadway.
While still on scene, Cayton was sitting in his marked cruiser with his emergency overhead lights activated when a 2007 Mack Granite, driven by Ryan Rach, 35, Canfield, also traveling northbound, crashed into the back of his cruiser, the patrol said.
The cruiser then traveled forward into the back of the disabled tractor-trailer, also striking Vasquez, who was standing outside of his vehicle.
Cayton was pronounced dead at the scene and Vasquez was taken by medical helicopter to a nearby hospital. His condition was not reported Thursday evening. Rach was not injured in the crash.
The Canfield Fire Department, Boardman Township Fire Department, Ellsworth Fire Department, Canfield Police Department, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio Department of Transportation assisted on scene.
This crash remains under investigation, the patrol said.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Mahoning County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower and will remain 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 governor’s office said.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a statement regarding the Cayton’s death.
“In service and sacrifice, Trooper Cayton honored the badge and fulfilled his sacred oath to the community. My deepest condolences are with the family, friends and colleagues of this fallen hero,” Yost said.