The Findlay Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a tragic accident that claimed the life of Joshua Little, a 42-year-old man from Wapakoneta, Ohio. The incident occurred on December 5, 2024, at approximately 6:22 a.m. on the southbound exit ramp from Interstate 75 to State Route 103 in Orange Township, Hancock County.
According to initial reports, Little was driving a 2009 Chevrolet HHR southbound on I-75 when his vehicle became disabled, prompting him to stop on the right shoulder of the exit ramp. He then exited the vehicle and began walking south along the ramp. As Little was walking, a 2016 Ford Edge driven by Michael Rahrig, 64, of Findlay, Ohio, struck him.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but despite their efforts, Little was pronounced dead at the site of the crash. Rahrig was not injured in the collision. Little’s body was transported to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for further examination. The cause of the accident remains under investigation, with authorities working to determine the exact circumstances that led to the fatal incident.
The accident prompted a temporary closure of the southbound exit ramp to State Route 103, which lasted for about an hour. Traffic flow resumed shortly after emergency crews cleared the scene. Multiple agencies assisted in the response, including the Bluffton Police Department, Bluffton EMS, HANCO EMS, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and two towing companies, R and A Towing and D and D Towing.
This tragic event underscores the dangers pedestrians face on busy highways, especially in situations involving disabled vehicles. Authorities have emphasized the importance of drivers and pedestrians exercising caution in similar scenarios to avoid such devastating outcomes.
As the investigation continues, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will likely release further details about the incident. In the meantime, the community mourns the loss of Joshua Little, while local officials remain focused on uncovering the factors that contributed to this heartbreaking accident.