Accident on Interstate 77 claims life of Bolivar local, authorities say
TUSCARAWAS, OH, (October 24, 2024) - The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) says a semi-truck was involved in the Oct. 24 crash in Tuscarawas County that claimed the life of an elderly man. Now, a search is ongoing to locate the truck driver who fled the scene.
Dennis Alsept, a resident of Bolivar, was identified as the victim of a deadly two-vehicle crash that happened on Interstate 77 in Tuscarawas County late Thursday morning, OSHP said.
Tragically, 78-year-old Dennis Alsept, a resident of Bolivar, died from injuries at a hospital in Canton on Oct. 31.
According to OSHP, a red semi-truck pulling a flatbed trailer was traveling north on I-77 in the right lane around 11:40 a.m. near Strasburg, and behind it was Alsept in his 2024 Kia SUV, reportedly on his way home from the store in the left lane. At some point, the semi's driver tried to make a U-turn through the median, causing Alsept to strike into its trailer. The semi stopped momentarily and then drove onto I-77 South.
Anyone with information about the incident was urged to call the New Philadelphia post of the state patrol at 330-339-1103.
This is an ongoing investigation.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Candice Bond, an experienced commercial accident attorney, said that in such cases, it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted promptly to protect the rights of a victim.
"Commercial accidents are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents," said Bond, a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
"A skilled attorney can protect victims from trucking companies, which often send their own investigators to crash sites and possess a variety of resources they can utilize to defend a negligent truck driver."
"Your lawyer can advocate for you by hiring expert witnesses, conducting driver background checks, locating witnesses to the crash, and reviewing applicable insurance coverage, while carefully guiding a victim through the legal process."
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
The family of Dennis Alsept may pursue compensation for damages such as costs associated with the death, loss of income and companionship, and other hardships.
"A death to a family member after an accident is both tragic and devastating to a surviving family. The grief, shock, and anger can be overwhelming," said Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Newsline.
She added, "Aside from the emotional suffering of those left behind, the death of someone close can have devastating financial implications. Loss of income and funeral costs alone can have tragic consequences when a family member is lost."
If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed at the hands of a hit-and-run driver and would like a no-cost consultation, our national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).