The Ohio State Highway Patrol says alcohol is believed to be a factor in a fatal crash on Interstate 75 in Wood County that took the lives of two people, one of them from Findlay.

The crash happened a little before 10 p.m. Sunday on Interstate 75 near the Cygnet Road exit.

Troopers arrived on the scene to find six vehicles involved in the crash and two engulfed in flames.

Crash investigators say a Chevy Malibu was traveling southbound when it struck the back of a Dodge Dakota.

The Dodge then traveled across the center median and struck at least two northbound vehicles.

The Dodge and a Jeep Grand Cherokee became engulfed in flames and other vehicles in the area also sustained damage.

The Highway Patrol says the driver of the Dodge, Andrew Jones, 19, of Findlay, and the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, Kassidi Krzykwa, 23, of Kalamazoo, both died at the scene.

Two other people in the Jeep were flown from the scene with life-threatening injuries.

Three people in a fourth vehicle involved were taken to Wood County Hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.

A woman in a fifth vehicle involved was taken to Wood County Hospital with minor injuries.

The Highway Patrol says additional vehicles were involved and more details will be released at a later time.

The Highway Patrol says the driver of the at-fault vehicle was Nicholas Luderman, 24, of Napoleon.

He was taken to the Wood County Jail on two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide as alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.

The northbound lanes of I-75 were closed for around four and a half hours while the southbound lanes were closed for four hours.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, North Baltimore Police Department, North Baltimore Fire Department, Cygnet Fire Department, Bloomdale Fire & Rescue, Mid-County Ambulance District, Pleasant-McComb-Portage Joint Ambulance District, South East Ambulance District, Mercy Health Life Flight, Promedica Air Life Flight, Wood County Coroner’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, Wright Tire & Auto, Ray’s Service Center & Towing Service, Tommy Boy Towing, Ed’s 24 Hour Service, VJ’s Towing & Rescue, and B.G. Towing & Repair.

Ongoing work by Columbia Gas will cause some lane closures and delays on South Main Street in Findlay.

A couple of signs are in place on South Main Street alerting drivers to expect delays beginning on Monday, April 4th.

Columbia Gas has been installing new gas lines in Findlay and the work has caused some road closures, including on East Lima Street at South Main Street.

The work Columbia Gas has been doing on East Lima Street has been getting closer to South Main and now the work will be crossing over South Main Street.

So, beginning on Monday, South Main Street will be down to one lane in either direction in the area of Lima Street to give crews room to install a new mainline across Main Street.

The lane closures will be in effect for about a month.

Delays are to be expected.

Drivers are encouraged to find another route.

The Findlay Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol says it will be targeting failure to yield violations during an April enforcement initiative.

The Highway Patrol says one of the main contributing factors in crashes in Hancock County is failure to yield.

And in an effort to reduce the number of serious injury and fatal crashes, troopers from the Findlay Post will be working a targeted enforcement effort through the month of April.

Violations that troopers will focus on during this effort include running red lights and failure to stop at stop signs.

“Unfortunately we continue to see an increase in traffic crashes related to failure to yield violations,” said Lt. Matt Crow, Findlay Post Commander.

“A review of reports from March of 2021 through March of 2022 show we have had 70 such crashes where failure to yield was the contributing factor.”

“We look at traffic crashes from the perspective of education, engineering, and enforcement. All three play a pivotal role in preventing injuries and deaths. We try to educate the public on a regular basis through the media and public speaking engagements. We speak to students at driver’s educations classes and others through local civic organizations. We work hand in hand with ODOT and our local partners when it comes to looking for ways to improve our roadways. Our final approach is enforcing the traffic laws, when those driving choose to violate it” Crow said.

During this enforcement effort, there will be zero tolerance for failure yield violations.

The Highway Patrol reminds everyone to come to a complete stop at red lights and stop signs and to take an extra moment to ensure it is clear when proceeding from a stop sign.

People are also reminded to always wear their seat belt and never drive distracted or impaired.

Liberty-Benton Local Schools held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open its new Eagle Fieldhouse over the weekend.

The new facility is located directly behind the new elementary/middle school building that’s being built.

Superintendent Mark Kowalski says the 22,500 square foot indoor turf practice facility was privately funded by generous donations from the community and will be utilized by all sports, the band and the community.

As Mark mentioned in the audio above he sees their school campus as being a town center for the community and this new facility enhances that even more.

Get more of our conversation with the superintendent and see video from the ribbon cutting below.

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation has established an official fundraising drive authorized by the family of fallen Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis.

Donations can be made online at fortfindlayfop20.org. and checks can be mailed to Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20, P.O. Box 1335, Findlay, OH 45840.

On Thursday, Officer Francis was struck and killed by a fleeing vehicle while deploying spike strips near mile marker 142 on I-75 southbound at about 2:30 am.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of fellow Fort Findlay FOP Lodge member and officer, Dominic Francis,” said David Hill, board president of the Lodge.

“Being able to raise funds for his family is an honor.”

Officer Francis had served in law enforcement for 19 years.

He worked for the Findlay Police Department before joining the Bluffton Police Department.

He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

For more information, contact Teresa White, at 833-LODGE20 (833-563-4320) or email copsandkidsfindlay@gmail.com.

Below is video from Friday afternoon of the procession bringing Officer Francis to Coldren Crates Funeral Home in Findlay from the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has released the names of the three suspects arrested in connection with the death of a Bluffton police officer on Thursday.

Emin Johnson, 20, of Euclid, and Zachary Love, 21, of Columbus, are being held at the Hancock County Jail. (pictured below)

Dante Tate, 19, is incarcerated at the Medina County Jail.

Investigators say the three were in a car that was fleeing from police on Interstate 75 southbound around 2:30 Thursday morning that struck and killed Bluffton police officer Dominic Francis.

The officer was placing stop sticks on the interstate in an effort to end the pursuit.

The three fled on foot and one stole a car and was later arrested in northeast Ohio in Elyria.

Another was arrested near where the car was stolen in Hancock County and the third suspect was arrested at around 12:50 Thursday afternoon in Hancock County.

Hancock County Jail records show that Johnson is being held on an initial charge of involuntary manslaughter while Love is being held on charges of failure to comply and receiving stolen property.

“This community lost a hero,” said Bluffton Police Chief Ryan Burkholder in the video below.

“He was an outstanding police officer and his heart was big.”

Burkholder said not only was Francis a police officer but he was very involved in the community as a teacher, coach and bus driver for Cory-Rawson.

In honor of the life and legacy of Officer Dominic Francis, Governor DeWine has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds in Hancock and Allen Counties, as well as in Columbus at the Statehouse, Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower.