Trooper killed helping broken-down semitruck, officials say

CANFIELD, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - An Ohio state trooper was killed after a truck rear-ended him as he was helping a disabled semitruck, according to officials.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said 40-year-old Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton was fatally struck on State Route 11 in Mahoning County around 11:52 a.m. Thursday.

According to state highway patrol, Cayton was responding to reports of a broken-down semitruck stopped in the right lane. He was sitting in his cruiser with his emergency lights on when a truck crashed into the back of his cruiser.

The cruiser then crashed into the back of the semitruck and hit the truck’s driver, identified as Jesus Herrera Vasquez, who was standing outside of the disabled vehicle.

Cayton was pronounced dead at the scene, and Vasquez was flown to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The driver of the truck, identified as Ryan Rach, was uninjured in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered that U.S. and Ohio flags be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds throughout Mahoning County, as well as at the Ohio Statehouse and other buildings.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for his family, OSHP, and all Ohioans,” DeWine said in a post regarding Cayton’s death. “Every day, law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect the people of our state.”

The flags are to remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of his funeral.