Share

Ohio Highway Patrol trooper struck, killed near Cleveland

The Highway Patrol is now investigating the crash and would not say whether the driver who struck the 48-year-old trooper had been arrested.

Advertisement

Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper, Kenneth Velez was struck and killed by a vehicle along a stretch of Interstate 90 in Lakewood, Ohio around 1 p.m. Thursday.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent, Colonel Paul Pride, stated that Velez soon departure was a tragedy for the OSHP and the Department of Public Safety.

CBS affiliate WOIO-TV in Cleveland reported that after the fatal incident, all lanes of I-90 West at the I-71 split to Detroit were shut down for several hours.

Velez, 48, who had lived in Lorain, graduated as a member of the 118th Academy class in November 1989, according to a news release.

He was the father of three children, including Amherst High School student and football player, Christian Velez. A black Hyundai hatchback was loaded onto a tow truck with significant damage to its windshield and front end.

Yellow evidence markers were also lying in the road. We offer our support and our prayers to his family.

“On behalf of the citizens of the City of Cleveland, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences at this tragic loss of life”.

Advertisement

“You just don’t think that’s gonna happen, you know” Torres said. He was outside of his patrol auto when it happened. “He’s the godfather to my son”, said retired trooper A.J. Torres, who worked with Velez for 15 years.

OSHP trooper struck and killed on I-90 near Cleveland