WQIO Ohio's Super Station
Mount Gilead – The Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating
a fatal traffic crash that occurred on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at approximately 2:38 AM,
on Interstate 71 near mile post 152 in Franklin Township, Morrow County.
Larry A. Dotson, age 32, of Canton, Ohio, was operating a 2020 Hyundai Tucson
northbound on Interstate 71 in the southbound lanes. Salvador Alfaro Castaneda, age 26,
of Columbus, Ohio, was operating a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee southbound on Interstate
- Mr. Dotson’s vehicle was going the wrong-way and struck by Mr. Castaneda’s vehicle
head-on. Both vehicles overturned and caught fire after impact. Mr. Castaneda’s vehicle
was occupied by two passengers; Cristal Galloso Olvera, age 31, and Ivonne Olvera, age
50, both of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Dotson’s vehicle was occupied by one passenger; Marlee
S. Middleton, age 32, of Massillon, Ohio.
Larry Dotson, Marlee Middleton, Cristal Galloso and Ivonne Olvera were pronounced
deceased on scene by medical personnel. Mr. Castaneda was transported from the scene to
Ohio Health in Mansfield with serious injuries. It is unknown if drugs and alcohol were
factors in this crash. Mr. Castaneda was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and it
is unknown if his passengers were wearing seatbelts. Mr. Dotson and his passenger were
not wearing seatbelts at the time of the traffic crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Morrow County EMS, Morrow
County Coroner’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation and the Mount Gilead Fire
Department.
The traffic crash remains under investigation by the Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State
Highway Patrol.
