A quiet afternoon turned painfully tragic Wednesday on Interstate 70 in Belmont County as 60‑year‑old Thomas M. Littick of Zanesville lost his life in a one‑car crash that’s now under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The seasoned driver, known by friends and family as a calm presence on the road, was killed when the vehicle he was driving suddenly left the highway and struck an embankment near mile marker 202 in Kirkwood Township just before 12:48 p.m. that afternoon.
According to troopers responding to the scene, Littick was behind the wheel of his 2012 Kia Optima, heading eastbound on I‑70 when the vehicle drifted off the right side of the asphalt for reasons still unclear. In a matter of seconds, the car hit the embankment and came to rest in a grassy area south of the interstate, leaving passersby and motorists shaken.
Emergency crews from several agencies, including Barnesville Fire/EMS, Bethesda EMS, Fairview VFD, Mount Pleasant VFD, and Bradens A1 Towing, rushed to the scene to secure the area and render aid. Littick was found wearing his seatbelt — a detail authorities noted as they pieced together what happened — and was transported by ambulance to WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. Despite the quick response, he was later pronounced dead at the medical center, leaving family and community members searching for answers.
Friends remembered Littick as someone who always had time for a smile or a quick word during his daily routines, making the news of his passing especially hard for those who knew him well. The silence from I‑70, where countless travelers pass daily, served as a stark contrast to the sudden void his absence created. His family, still reeling from the loss, expressed profound grief as details continue to emerge.
Investigators with the Ohio State Highway Patrol continue to examine the crash, looking into possible factors such as road conditions, vehicle performance, and other variables that might have contributed to the accident. At this stage, there’s no indication of impairment or mechanical failure, but officials have not ruled anything out as the probe moves forward.
Littick’s death serves as a somber reminder of how quickly life can change on the road — a place where ordinary drives can turn into enduring heartbreak. Local community members have already begun sharing memories and extending support to his loved ones, underscoring the ripple effects of the tragedy.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has additional information to reach out to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s St. Clairsville post as they piece together the final moments leading up to the crash. The investigation remains open and ongoing, and more details are expected to be released as they become available.
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