80-Year-Old Individual from Massillon Dies in Multiple Vehicle Collision on I-77 in Richfield During Tuesday Evening Traffic

 RICHFIELD, Ohio — An elderly man, aged 80 and from Massillon, lost his life on Tuesday evening when his automobile was involved in a collision with multiple vehicles on the southbound lanes of Interstate 77, close to the Wheatley Road exit, as confirmed by officials on Wednesday.

The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office named the deceased individual as Terry Gribble. He was declared dead shortly after the crash occurred around 5:30 p.m. at the scene.

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Richfield Police along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to reports of a severe accident during heavy traffic hours. Emergency responders encountered several wrecked vehicles scattered throughout the southbound lanes. While the precise count of the vehicles involved has not been disclosed, investigators characterized the event as one of a "chain-reaction type incident."

The investigation is being conducted by the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office in conjunction with Richfield Police. Chief Investigator Gary Guenther stated that the crash reconstruction unit devoted several hours at the scene Tuesday night gathering evidence, taking measurements of skid marks, and extracting data from the vehicles that were part of the incident.

“At this moment, we are examining all potential factors—speed, distance between vehicles, possible distractions, and any health concerns,” Guenther remarked. “It is still very early in the investigation.”

Officials have not confirmed if any other drivers sustained serious injuries or if legal action is likely to follow. The southbound lane of I-77 was shut down for almost four hours while the area was cleared, leading to considerable traffic delays extending into northern Summit County and southern Cuyahoga County.

The news of Gribble’s passing quickly circulated through Massillon, where he was well-known among locals. Neighbors described him as an active senior who continued to maintain his lawn, attended church frequently, and was recognized for greeting passersby with a wave.

“Terry was the sort of person who would stop to assist you with a flat tire without having to be asked,” recalled lifelong neighbor Mark Donovan. “This feels unreal.”

Richfield Police are requesting that anyone who witnessed the collision or recorded dash-cam footage on southbound I-77 between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m. Tuesday reach out to the traffic division at (330) 659-4200.

Funeral plans for Terry Gribble are currently pending under the direction of Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon.