Mich. man identified as Turnpike victim

5/15/2005

CASTALIA, Ohio - The Ohio Highway Patrol yesterday identified the man killed Friday in a crash involving two tractor-trailer rigs on the Ohio Turnpike near State Rt. 4 in Erie County's Groton Township.

Killed was semi driver Jeffrey Mankowski, 38, of Waterford, Mich. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sgt. Anthony DeChoudens of the patrol's Milan post. Mr. Mankowski was eastbound on the Turnpike about 3:30 p.m. when the rig he was driving veered off the Ohio Turnpike near State Rt. 4 and crashed into a semi, which was parked on the side of the road for a flat tire, a dispatcher at the patrol's Berea post said.