Chaos erupted on I-71 as Michael Duncan’s black Hyundai Tucson veered off course, flipped, and tore into oncoming traffic near Tanger Outlets. His car collided with a Chevrolet Silverado, killing him on impact and injuring five others, including a 10-year-old girl.
On January 12, 2025, a tragic accident occurred on Interstate 71 near the Tanger Outlets in Delaware County, Ohio, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. Michael J. Duncan, a 35-year-old resident of Cleveland, was driving a black Hyundai Tucson northbound on I-71 when his vehicle veered off the left side of the highway.
The car crossed the median, overturned, and collided with a Chevrolet Silverado traveling southbound. The impact caused the Tucson to come to rest on its roof in the southbound lanes.
Tragically, Duncan was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. A front-seat passenger in Duncan's vehicle, identified as 38-year-old Shannon H. Saefkow-Webb, and a 10-year-old child, both sustained serious injuries and were transported to local hospitals for treatment.
The Chevrolet Silverado involved in the collision was occupied by two individuals who also suffered serious injuries and were taken to Grant Medical Center. Additionally, a Toyota Tacoma was struck by debris from the crash, resulting in minor injuries to its occupants, though they did not require hospitalization.
The accident led to significant traffic disruptions, with all southbound lanes of I-71 near the crash site closed for several hours as emergency responders worked to assist the injured and clear the scene.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is conducting an ongoing investigation to determine the factors contributing to the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that Duncan's vehicle left the roadway for reasons yet to be ascertained, leading to the fatal sequence of events.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the importance of road safety measures, including the consistent use of seatbelts. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash to prevent similar tragedies in the future.