CANFIELD, Ohio (WKBN) – An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper was killed Thursday while helping a disabled semi on State Route 11 in Mahoning County.
At approximately 11:52 a.m., Trooper Nicholas Cayton was responding to a disabled semi on State Route 11 northbound (right lane) just south of Route 224 after the truck struck an object in the road.
At the scene, Officer Cayton was sitting in his cruiser with his emergency lights on when a 2007 Mack Granite truck struck the back of his cruiser, pushing him into the back of the disabled semi and striking the semi’s driver, Nelson de Jesús Herrera Vasquez, 65, who was standing outside the truck.
Caton was pronounced dead at the scene, and Vazquez, from Florida, was transported by medical helicopter to a nearby hospital. The 35-year-old driver of the Mack Granite from Canfield was not injured.
Caton was 40 years old. His body was taken to the Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office with a police escort.
This accident is still under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol posted a message on social media reflecting on the loss of Officer Cayton.
“Today our patrol officers lost a member of our family. This is a tragedy for the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Ohio Department of Public Safety,” said Patrol Supervisor Col. Charles A. Jones. “Our prayers go out to Mr. Cayton’s family during this difficult time.”
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost released the following statement:
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“In his service and sacrifice, Officer Cayton honored his badge and fulfilled his sacred oath to his community. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of this fallen hero.”
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today ordered U.S. and Ohio flags to be flown at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds throughout Mahoning County, the State Capitol, the Barn Riff Center, and the Rhodes State Building, and to remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Cayton’s funeral.
The part of National Highway 11 where the accident occurred was closed for several hours. It has since been reopened.
Gerry Ricciutti contributed to this report.
