Randall Kriebel Killed in Hubbard Pedestrian Accident
The 65-year-old man was struck by a semi-truck while outside his stopped vehicle on Interstate 80
Randall Kriebel, 65, of Hubbard, was killed in a pedestrian crash on Interstate 80 in Hubbard Township on Thursday, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The eastbound semi-truck hauling a trailer struck the man while he was standing in the right travel lane. His personal vehicle was parked on the right shoulder at the time of the collision. Paramedics pronounced the victim, Kriebel, dead at the scene.
The crash adds to a rising toll across the state, where 150 pedestrian fatalities occurred in 2023, with the majority happening after dark.
Hubbard Township police, fire and EMS crews, and the Trumbull County Coroner’s Office assisted at the scene.
Why are interstate pedestrian accidents so dangerous?
In pedestrian accidents such as this, safety analysts point to visibility and stopping distances as critical factors.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "People on foot utilizing sidewalks and pedestrian areas possess legal rights of way that drivers must respect regardless of traffic conditions or time constraints. These protections exist because law recognizes pedestrians cannot defend against vehicle impact forces."
"An attorney ensures negligent drivers who violated these fundamental rights face full accountability while protecting surviving families through comprehensive legal action and adequate compensation recovery," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How do investigators analyze commercial vehicle collisions?
Crash reconstructionists will examine the semi-truck's electronic logging devices, the driver's hours of service, and the vehicle's braking capabilities.
Ohio Department of Transportation data indicates that 78% of fatal pedestrian-related collisions occur in urban or high-traffic areas, making thorough scene analysis essential. Investigators must determine the exact sequence of events that led to the pedestrian being in the travel lane.
Ohio wrongful death statute
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.01, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Ohio applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Surveillance cameras from nearby storefronts often capture traffic signals, driver behavior, and pedestrian movements prior to fatal crashes. Obtaining video footage quickly prevents crucial visual evidence from being deleted or overwritten," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel act rapidly to issue preservation demands, securing clear visual proof while helping grieving families seek financial protection."