BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred late Saturday evening.
According to OSHP, the crash was reported at 11:27 p.m. on I-480 eastbound near mile post 19 in Brooklyn Heights.
Kreigh Grapel-Barnette, 26, of Akron, was driving a 2007 Toyota Yaris on I-480 eastbound when she went off the left side of the roadway, crossing the median and collided head-on with a 2026 Subaru Outlander.
The Subaru was driven by James Mieczkowski, 56, of Oak Park, Illinois, along with passengers Brenda, Massaroni, 64, and Alison Mieczkowski, 23, both of Oak Park, Illinois.
Grapel-Barnette, was wearing her seatbelt, troopers said, and was transported from the scene by Brooklyn Heights Fire and EMS to MetroHealth.
She was later pronounced deceased from her injuries at the hospital.
The driver and passenger of the Subaru were wearing their seatbelts and were transported to MetroHealth with minor injuries.
I-480 westbound was closed for two and a half hours, OSHP said, and traffic was diverted onto I-77 south.
The following agencies assisted on scene:
Newburgh Heights EMSBrooklyn Heights Fire and EMSBrooklyn Heights Police DepartmentValley View Police DepartmentGarfield Heights Police DepartmentCuyahoga Heights Police DepartmentIndependence Police DepartmentKufner TowingOhio Department of Transportation
OSHP said the crash remains under investigation.
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