A quiet Tuesday evening commute turned tragic for the community of Zanesville after a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 claimed the life of 45-year-old Todd McVicker. According to authorities, the crash happened around 5:48 p.m. on December 9, 2025, in Washington Township, Muskingum County.
Investigators say McVicker was driving a 2022 Toyota Highlander westbound when — for reasons not yet determined — his vehicle veered across the median and into the eastbound lanes. His car then collided head-on with a 2017 Kenworth T680 semi-truck operated by 35-year-old Habtom Teweldebrhan of Blacklick.
The force of the initial collision was so powerful it sent debris flying across the highway. A third vehicle — a 2011 Chevrolet Aveo driven by 30-year-old Christian Vicich of Pleasant City — was struck by that debris.
When first responders arrived, the scene was chaotic. Fire, EMS, sheriff’s deputies, towing crews, and road-cleanup teams swarmed the crash site as emergency personnel worked to secure the area, evaluate the injured, and restore safe traffic flow. McVicker was pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency personnel say, fortunately, neither Teweldebrhan nor Vicich sustained life-threatening injuries. Both were evaluated at the scene before being released, offering a small measure of relief amid the broader tragedy.
The crash has left local residents grappling with grief, shock, and questions. For a community where McVicker was well known and cared about, his sudden death hit hard. As investigations continue, law-enforcement officials are examining what might have caused his vehicle to cross the median — whether mechanical failure, medical emergency, road conditions, or another factor.
At a time like this, with a family mourning and a community reeling, the hope is that answers come soon. May Todd McVicker’s loved ones find some comfort — and may his memory live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
