In the pre-dawn stillness of August 24, 2025, a devastating crash shattered the quiet along the Ohio Turnpike in Woodville Township, Sandusky County. The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Swanton Post is piecing together the events of a multi-vehicle collision that claimed a life and left a community reeling, a stark reminder of how quickly a routine drive can turn catastrophic.
The incident unfolded around 12:19 a.m. in the eastbound lanes near milepost 77. A 2014 Ford Mustang, driven by 20-year-old Blade Campbell of Sandusky, was speeding through the night when it slammed into the rear of a 2000 International tractor-trailer operated by 69-year-old Roderick Rife from Sterling Heights, Michigan. The force of the impact sent the Mustang careening into the middle lane, where it collided with a 2025 Ford Bronco driven by 47-year-old William Evans of University Heights.
Chaos ensued as both the Mustang and the tractor-trailer veered off the roadway, crashing into a concrete median wall. The tractor-trailer erupted into flames, engulfing the scene in a fiery glow. Roderick Rife, a seasoned driver from Michigan, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, his life cut short in the inferno. Blade Campbell, the young driver of the Mustang, was rushed to a nearby hospital with injuries that, while serious, were not life-threatening. William Evans, behind the wheel of the Ford Bronco, emerged miraculously unscathed, a lone stroke of fortune in an otherwise grim tableau.
The Ohio Turnpike, a vital artery for travelers and truckers alike, was thrown into disarray. Both directions of the highway were closed for approximately an hour as emergency responders worked tirelessly to manage the wreckage. The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, alongside multiple area fire departments, Sandusky County EMS, and a towing service, rallied to assist the Highway Patrol at the scene. The right lanes were eventually reopened, but the scars of the crash lingered, both on the road and in the hearts of those affected.
As the sun rose over Sandusky County, investigators from the Ohio State Highway Patrol began their meticulous work to unravel the cause of the collision. Questions remain: Was it speed, distraction, or some other factor that led to the catastrophic chain of events? The crash remains under active investigation, with authorities determined to uncover the truth behind this heartbreaking loss.
For now, the Ohio Turnpike bears the weight of another tragedy, a sobering reminder of the fragility of life on the open road.
