Turnpike debris caused triple-fatality accident

12/7/2004

SANDUSKY - The Ohio Highway Patrol has determined the cause of the Ohio Turnpike wreck that killed three Detroit residents Nov. 28, the investigating trooper said.

The SUV driven by Syed J. Goni ran over a piece of metal measuring about 5 by 7 inches, said Trooper Richard Anderson of the patrol's Milan post. The chunk of metal caused a 3-inch gash in the SUV's right rear tire, rendering the tire "instantly flat," the trooper said.

As the SUV swerved, Mr. Goni overcorrected, causing the westbound vehicle to veer to the left, where it hit a car in the left lane about a mile west of the Exit 91 interchange at State Rt. 53.

The crash killed Mr. Goni and two of his passengers, Syed A. Nabi, 37, and Shahatatun N. Choudhury, 62.