Springfield man dead in crash involving tractor-trailer

A Springfield man was killed in a crash in Union County Thursday morning, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

James Smith, 45, was driving north on US 36 near milepost eight in Paris Twp. when he allegedly crossed the center line and was struck by a tractor hauling a box trailer, the state patrol said in a media statement.

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Smith was pronounced dead at the scene and the driver of the commercial vehicle, Christopher Kelley, 43, was transported to Union County Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The Environmental Protection Agency was called to the scene, the media release says.

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“EPA was contacted for the diesel fuel spilled from the damage to the commercial truck,” the release says.

Seat belts were in use by both drivers, the release says, and the crash is still under investigation.

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