Local News
35-year-old Michael Duncan killed after crash on I-71 in Delaware County
The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) has provided new information regarding a tragic three-vehicle collision that occurred Sunday evening on Interstate 71 in Delaware County.
The incident happened around 5 p.m. near the Tanger Outlets and the U.S.-36/State Route 37 exit in Berkshire Township.
According to OSHP, 35-year-old Michael Duncan was driving a black Hyundai Tucson northbound on I-71 when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle.
Duncanโs vehicle crossed the median, overturned, struck the median cable barrier, and collided head-on with a Chevrolet Silverado traveling southbound.
The Hyundai came to rest in the middle of the southbound lanes, while the Chevrolet veered off the left side of the highway.
A southbound Toyota Tacoma was hit by debris from the collision.
Michael Duncan was pronounced deceased at the scene. OSHP reported that Duncan was not wearing a seatbelt.
- Injured:
- Two passengers in the Hyundaiโa 38-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girlโsustained serious injuries and were transported to a local hospital.
- The driver and passenger of the Chevrolet Silverado were also seriously injured and hospitalized.
- The driver and passenger of the Toyota Tacoma were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
The crash prompted the closure of all southbound lanes of I-71 for approximately three hours as responders worked to clear the scene. Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including:
- Delaware County Sheriffโs Office
- Delaware Fire & EMS
- BST&G Fire and EMS
- Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)
OSHP is continuing its investigation to determine what caused Duncan to lose control of the Hyundai. Authorities noted that all individuals, except Duncan, were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
This tragic incident underscores the importance of road safety and highlights the collective efforts of first responders in handling such emergencies. Further updates will be provided as the investigation continues.
Local News
Suspended Dearborn Ford worker Thomas Sabula received more than $320K after Trump flips him off
DEARBORN, Mich. โ A suspended Ford Motor Company employee has become the focus of national attention after a confrontation with former President Donald Trump during a visit to a Dearborn assembly plant, prompting an outpouring of public support that has raised more than $324,000 for his family through an online fundraiser.
The worker, Thomas โTJโ Sabula, a 40-year-old United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 600 member, was placed on suspension pending an internal investigation following an exchange that occurred while Trump was touring the facility.
According to video later obtained and published by TMZ, an off-camera voice can be heard shouting โpedophile protectorโ at the former president, an apparent reference to the administrationโs handling of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
In the footage, Trump appears to mouth an expletive and make a hand gesture before walking away.
The Washington Post subsequently identified Sabula as the individual who made the remark.
In an interview with the newspaper, Sabula confirmed that he was suspended after the incident and said he believes the action amounts to political retaliation.
โAs far as calling him out, definitely no regrets whatsoever,โ Sabula told The Post. โBut I am concerned about my job. I believe Iโve been targeted for political retribution for embarrassing him in front of his friends.โ
Sabula, who describes himself as politically independent, said he has never voted for Trump, though he has supported Republican candidates in the past.
In the days following the incident, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to assist Sabula and his family during his suspension.
The campaign states that Sabula is โa father of two young children, a husband, and a proud UAW Local 600 line worker,โ and that the funds will be used to help cover household and living expenses โduring this time of uncertainty.โ Donations quickly surged past $100,000, with notable contributions reportedly made by the rock band Dropkick Murphys.
Supporters have characterized Sabulaโs actions as a form of protest and free expression, while others have questioned whether his conduct violated workplace policies.
Ford Motor Company and union representatives have not publicly released details regarding the status of the internal investigation or whether disciplinary action beyond the suspension is being considered.
Following his visit to the Dearborn plant, Trump went on to deliver remarks at the Detroit Economic Club, where he had last spoken in October 2024.
The incident continues to draw attention amid broader political debate, as questions remain about workplace discipline, free speech, and the role of political expression in employment settings.