Hopewell Township, OH — February 25, 2025, Robert Rebitski was killed, George Rebitski, Aaron and Sarah Powell, and two minors were injured in a truck accident at 9:35 p.m. along I.H. 70.

According to authorities, an International 18-wheeler was traveling eastbound on Interstate Highway 70 when the accident took place.

The cause of the accident remains unclear. Officials indicate that, for as yet unknown reasons, the International failed to safely maintain its lane of travel. It reportedly veered left, crossing over the center median and entering the oncoming lanes of the interstate. There, it was involved in a collision with two westbound vehicles: one occupied by Robert and George Rebitski, and the other occupied by Aaron and Sara Powell and two minors.

Robert Rebitski reportedly suffered fatal injuries over the course of the accident. Reports state that George Rebitski sustained injuries of unknown severity, though they were described to have been non-life-threatening. Aaron and Sarah Powell and the two minors who were in the vehicle with them each sustained minor injuries, as well. All injured victims were transported to area medical facilities by EMS in order to receive necessary treatment. Additional details pertaining to this incident are not available at this point in time. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When an 18-wheeler crosses the median of an interstate and crashes into oncoming vehicles, the key question isn’t just what happened, but why it happened. In my experience handling truck accident cases, wrecks like this rarely occur without multiple contributing factors that need to be examined.

What caused the truck to leave its lane? Professional drivers are trained to maintain control of their vehicles, so investigators need to determine why the truck veered into oncoming traffic. Did the driver experience distraction, fatigue, or a medical emergency? Was there an external factor, such as another vehicle’s actions or an obstacle in the road? Reviewing dashcam footage, driver records, and electronic logging device (ELD) data could help provide answers.

Was mechanical failure involved? Issues such as brake failure, steering malfunctions, or a tire blowout could have caused the truck to swerve unexpectedly. Investigators should conduct a post-crash inspection and review maintenance logs to determine whether poor vehicle upkeep contributed to the crash.

Was speed a factor? An 18-wheeler traveling too fast for conditions is more difficult to control, especially if the driver needs to react quickly. Investigators should analyze speed data, road conditions, and witness statements to determine whether excessive speed played a role.

Did broader issues contribute to the crash? Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are properly trained and their vehicles are in safe operating condition. If the company failed to enforce proper rest breaks, ignored maintenance issues, or pressured drivers to meet tight schedules at the expense of safety, those failures could be relevant in understanding why this crash happened. Investigators should review company policies, safety records, and past violations to determine whether broader issues played a role.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is finding answers. Even if it takes an independent investigation to gather the right evidence, it’s critical to examine every factor to ensure those affected by the crash get the clarity they deserve.