Oregon teenager injured in Friday I-75 crash remains in critical condition

1/13/2014

A 15-year-old Oregon teen remains in critical condition today after a car in which he was a passenger collided with a semi on I-75 in Wood County early Friday, authorities said.

Tyler P. Preston is listed in critical condition at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, a hospital spokesman said.

The car driven by Gage Edward Moreno, 17, also of Oregon, and the truck driven by Allen Rae Relitz, 53, of Grass Lake, Mich., were both southbound on I-75 in Middleton Township when the car, in the left lane, attempted to pass the truck, Ohio Highway Patrol troopers said.

The car driver lost control of the vehicle on the snow-covered roadway, causing it to slide into the right lane, where it was struck by the truck, which was pulling tandem trailers, then went off the road and struck a snow embankment, according to troopers.

Young Moreno was cited for failing to maintain reasonable control and for operating a vehicle during restricted hours, which is in violation of his probationary driver’s license, the patrol said.

Both the Moreno youth and his backseat passenger, Zachary David Ashton, 18, of Toledo, suffered minor injuries and were treated at Wood County Hospital. Both wore seat belts, troopers said.

The Preston youth, who did not wear a seat belt, was originally taken to Wood County Hospital then transported to  St. Vincent.

The truck driver was not injured, troopers said.