Perry Township, OH — January 27, 2025, James Ostendorf was injured in a truck accident at about 7:30 a.m. on State Route 123.

Authorities said a 2023 Chevrolet Express van was traveling west when it crashed into a 2021 International garbage truck that was stopped near U.S. Route 68 with its flashing lights activated.

Van driver James M. Ostendorf, 39, was flown to an area hospital after the crash with unspecified injuries, according to authorities. The truck driver, who was not in truck at the time of the crash, was not injured.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident remains under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

Crashes involving stopped vehicles, like this collision between a van and a stationary garbage truck, often raise important questions about visibility, driver behavior and whether proper precautions were in place. While details about this crash are still emerging, there are several key factors investigators will need to evaluate.

The placement of the garbage truck and the precautions taken by its driver will be essential to understanding what happened. While the truck’s flashing lights were reportedly activated, it’s important to assess whether the truck was stopped in a safe and visible location. For instance, was it stopped entirely off the roadway, or was part of it still in the lane of travel? Even when stationary, large vehicles like garbage trucks can create significant hazards if they’re not positioned carefully.

Visibility at the scene is another critical factor. The crash occurred early in the morning when lighting conditions may have been less than ideal. Investigators should consider whether weather, fog or the position of the sun could have limited the van driver’s ability to see the truck in time to stop. The design of the roadway, including signage, lane width and sightlines, is also worth examining to determine if environmental factors played a role.

Finally, the severity of the crash raises questions about how well the van and the garbage truck were equipped to minimize the impact. Were both vehicles’ safety features, such as lights, reflectors and crash protection, functioning as intended? Understanding how these systems performed can help determine whether additional safety measures might have reduced the likelihood or severity of the collision.

A thorough investigation will need to look beyond the surface-level facts to fully understand this crash. By examining the driver’s actions, the positioning of the truck and the roadway conditions, investigators can uncover the full story of what happened in this instance.