Teen darts into roadway, is hit by multiple vehicles after leaving nearby bonfire

AVON — An 18-year-old Avon Lake man was killed Sunday night when he was struck by several vehicles on Interstate 90 in Avon.

Zachary R. Rothrock had left a bonfire party a short distance to the north on Chester Road shortly before the 11:13 p.m. accident, according to Avon police.

Rothrock ran onto the highway and was almost struck by two vehicles before being hit by several cars, a van and an SUV, witnesses told police. The accident occurred in the westbound lanes between state Routes 83 and 611.

“He darted into the roadway,” said Avon police Sgt. Robert Olds. “Witnesses said he was struck by one vehicle on the passenger side, ended up in the middle of the highway and was struck by a minimum of two other vehicles in the westbound lanes which could not avoid hitting him.”

A friend had driven Rothrock to the bonfire party on Chester Road about 10:45 p.m., and a short time later Rothrock went for a walk, Olds said.

Olds said officers “have no idea” why he was on the highway.

Rothrock was struck by a car driven by Wilmary Saez, 25, of Lorain, and then by a white conversion van, according to witnesses.

The van pulled to the side of the road and then drove away, Olds said. He said police are searching for the driver, who may have information that is important to the investigation. The van had decorative lights along the running board and a small ladder on the rear of the van, he said.

Rothrock was also struck by a car driven by Anthony Ceja, 51, of Oberlin, and by an SUV driven by Susan Schneider, 52, of Napoleon, Olds said.

A number of people stopped to help Rothrock and to assist with the investigation, Olds said.

A family member who answered the phone Monday at Rothrock’s home said Rothrock had attended Avon Lake Schools but declined further comment.

Lorain County Coroner Paul Matus said fingerprints were used to identify Rothrock. Police said he was not carrying identification at the time of the accident.

The westbound lanes of I-90 were closed between Routes 83 and 611 for about two hours and 45 minutes while authorities investigated the accident.

Partygoers from the bonfire Rothrock had left were among those interviewed by police, Olds said.

“It’s a horrible tragedy, and there are many people affected by it,” Olds said.

It is the third death in a year involving pedestrians on I-90.

Westlake police are still investigating an April 12 accident on I-90 that killed Ashley M. Palos, 19, of Elyria, who was struck by an eastbound car near the Avon-Westlake border after getting out of a westbound car driven by an 18-year-old Vermilion woman. She crossed five lanes before being hit. The two teens had been at a party before that accident.

The death of Jeffrey R. Lange on I-90 near the Jaycox Road overpass in Avon was ruled an apparent suicide based on discussions with family and friends, Olds said. Lange, 22, of Elyria, was killed on Aug. 6, 2007, after he walked into the path of a tractor-trailer.

Anyone who saw the incident or has other information on Sunday’s accident is asked to call the Avon Police Department at (440) 934-1234 or e-mail the department at tipline@avonpd.com.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.

 

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