OSHP identifies Mason High School student killed in wrong-way crash on I-71

A Mason High School student is dead after a crash that shut down all southbound lanes on I-71 for hours Thursday morning, the district said in a letter to families.

"Tonight, we are grieving the loss of a Mason High School student who was in a tragic car crash on I-71 early this morning," the district said. "Grief can manifest in many ways, and it's crucial that we recognize and honor our own feelings and those of others."

On Friday, Ohio State Highway Patrol identified the student as 17-year-old Chad Samuel Case.

Troopers said the driver of a semi-truck heading south on I-71 in Deerfield Township at around 1:40 a.m. was hit head-on by Case's 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driving the wrong side of the highway.

After hitting head-on, both vehicles went off the southeast side of the road and the semi overturned, OSHP said.

Holland Rains | WCPO

The driver of the semi-truck was taken to Mercy Health — Kings Mills Hospital with what troopers called "non-life-threatening" injuries. The teen died at the scene, OSHP said.

Mason City Schools said a crisis support team will be available at Mason High School on Friday starting at 7:45 a.m.

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