The Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently
investigating a fatal injury crash which occurred on Interstate 75 near Cridersville.
At approximately 12:55 A.M on August 4, 2012, the Ohio State Highway Patrol began to
receive several reports of a pickup truck being driven southbound in the northbound lanes.
Troopers from the Lima and Wapakoneta Patrol Posts were all dispatched in an attempt to
intercept the wrong-way driver. As the reports continued to come in to the dispatch
center, the wrong-way driver eventually struck a commercial motor vehicle in a head on
collision.
As a result of the collision, both vehicles caught on fire. The driver of the commercial
motor vehicle, Ajaib S. Nanreh, 49 of Brampton, Ontario, was able to escape the burning
truck, however he suffered minor injuries and was transported to Lima Memorial Hospital
by Cridersville EMS.
The 2000 Chevrolet pickup was being operated Duane Hower, 36 of Wapakoneta. As a
result of the collision, Mr. Hower 5s vehicle also caught on fire. It is believed that the
collision itself caused the fatal injuries to Mr. Hower.
Interstate 75 was closed to traffic from 12:55 A.M. until 9:00 A.M. while crews cleared
the roadway and conducted the investigation into
