OH Flagger Troy Ray ID’d As Victim In Wednesday Wapakoneta Work Zone Fatal Crash

CLAY TOWNSHIP, OH. (THECOUNT) — Troy Ray, 58, of Clyde, Ohio, was killed Wednesday afternoon after he was struck by a vehicle while working as a construction flagger in a highway work zone on U.S. Route 33 in Clay Township, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The driver of the vehicle, Tyler Joseph, 35, of West Liberty, remained at the scene and was not injured.

Investigators with the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Wapakoneta Post said the crash occurred at approximately 3:34 p.m. Wednesday on U.S. Route 33, just east of State Route 65 South.

According to troopers, Joseph was operating a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee eastbound through the construction zone when the SUV struck Ray, who was directing traffic in the eastbound lane as part of an active road construction project.

Ray suffered fatal injuries in the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was transported to Eley Funeral Home in Wapakoneta by the Auglaize County Coroner’s Office.

Joseph was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was not reported injured. Investigators said alcohol and drugs are not believed to have been factors in the collision.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash, including how the vehicle entered the work area. No charges have been announced as of Thursday.

Several agencies assisted at the scene, including the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio Department of Transportation, St. Johns Fire and EMS, the Auglaize County Coroner’s Office, and additional emergency personnel.

The fatal incident remains under active investigation by the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Anyone with information regarding the crash is encouraged to contact investigators.

Clay Township is located in Auglaize County in west-central Ohio, approximately 65 miles north of Dayton and about 90 miles northwest of Columbus.

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