Survivor of Ohio Turnpike pileup recalls night of crash, assisting other victims in need

Tom Hanus was one of the dozens of people trapped in a massive crash on the Ohio Turnpike on Friday. But he was also one of many who jumped into action to help others.
Hanus recalls the day -- and into the night -- four people were killed and a still-unknown number injured in a 46-vehicle pileup Dec. 23, 2022.
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[@juju1896]

Good man with a heart of gold. Well done, God bless you and all involved.

[@Juandelapingarcia]

I’m a truck driver and I was driving to the west bound, highway was closed and I had to wait to the next day some miles before the crash. I don’t understand WHY lot of people was driving in this days? Cars and many trucks are driving over speed ignoring the weather conditions, it is so stupid!!! That’s the consequences!!! RIP for people died…

[@michaelwright1602]

Oh they love to speed in these conditions... F'n insane!

[@David-lo1fo]

@Michael Wright your analysis is not far off , insane. Too much reliability on equipment and tires that are great for moving on ice and Snow. But like 4 wheel drive, Your stopping and turning Abilities is not as good. Then Figure in the distracted, or Impaired drivers. It's a gamble Like most things in life , raising kids, career, buying a home, being black living in Memphis, Etc.

[@afridgetoofar1818]

Storm Warning: Issued Ohio Governor: "Please don't drive" Sandusky County: Issues Level 3 snow emergency Drivers: So, you're saying we can drive 70 mph?

[@scottmonty1828]

Truck drivers: No you can go 10 or 20 miles over the speed limit or faster as long as there is no Smokies on the road!!

[@dangerousbeans2907]

These roads need to be closed during storms like this. Period.

[@derington256]

We all need to do better, and the states need to do better shutting down interstates. I am an OTR commercial truck driver and shutdown in Iowa for 3 days. This storm was known and forecasted a week prior. I shut down as soon as i saw that the winter storm was starting in 2 hours at 6pm via the Interstate Overhead traffic message boards.

[@afridgetoofar1818]

Dude, you knew this storm was coming days in advance. The Gov of Ohio pleaded with everyone to stay home. The county this accident occurred in, Sandusky, literally issued a Level 3 snow emergency, which means all roads (non-interstate) are closed to non-emergency vehicles. At some point people need to use common sense and stay off the roads. This is all on the drivers that day, whether they be truckers or private citizens. Ya'll should've stayed home. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

[@derington256]

@@afridgetoofar1818 As an OTR truck driver you don’t always have the option to stay home. However, you always have the option to shut down. I was watching the 511 traffic cams and monitoring the road closures for each state. Iowa and Ohio specifically only advised not to travel. If you travel to Wyoming, Nevada and other states that actually have traffic barriers blocking vehicles from proceeding any further you will see where I am coming from. Every semi truck driver involved in this accidents should be charged criminally. Just like Aircraft pilots we have the responsibility for safe operation of the equipment we use. There is not one semi-truck driver that can say that they didn’t know better. The general public is always going to ignore and disregard warnings and orders just like hurricane evacuations.

[@derington256]

@@afridgetoofar1818 Also, like me there is a good percentage of us OTR truck drivers that live 100% on our trucks. I did stay home! My truck is my home. I did however trip plan in accordance with the weather on my route. I have been driving 3 years now and have had no accidents. Prior to driving semi-truck I served in the USMC and USAF for a total of 15 years. In the Air Force I worked on KC-10s and also certified them to fly. I have also flown general aviation aircraft.

[@samdillsaver7676]

@@derington256I’ve been driving for going on 5 years, and my company basically says “If you feel unsafe, park it”. It’s amazing to me how many truck drivers don’t seem to trip plan. I was going through Wyoming last week, and I couldn’t believe how many trucks were flying past me on ICE COVERED ROADS, and tailgating each other.

[@derington256]

@@samdillsaver7676 yea I have never had any issues shutting down. When I was a company driver they would pay us to shut down.

[@chipchasinoutlaw5445]

I've been out here 20 years in a semi truck. I cannot understand why people were out there. This was insane. I shut down Thursday nite. No way was I going anywhere before Sunday morning. This did not have to happen. Not like this. The average 4 wheeler can barely operate their vehicle on a dry road let alone in minus 30 40 plus mph winds. Thank God the ones who did make it out did. Ohio should have shut it down.

[@tiffandfam7466]

Thank you for helping others and so sorry for the losses 🙏

[@Jane-Doe.1126]

Why would anyone drive in that storm?

[@calloutapefarterbs8527]

Trying to get home for Christmas

[@theodorewilliams5666]

this is America the land of jackasses for driving in weather like this the same applies when hurricanes and tornadoes come thru .they act like this are just some overrated storms

[@billlam7756]

Thankyou sir. Need more people like u these days

[@RejectedJedi]

I had to know if Ohio warned about this and they did. On Thursday they said Don't Drive. So they all decided that their reason to go out was more important than their own life.

[@DakotaJaegle]

also going way too fast in slippery and blinding conditions i just dont understand

[@mrs.lilianfetters1432]

Employers expect people to report to work unless a level 3 is issued. County sheriffs should be held responsible.

[@Fishsticks187]

@@mrs.lilianfetters1432 They can expect all they want. No job is worth your life.

[@macnchessplz]

Yes, they did. We received texts and sheriff departments, etc posted on Facebook. We were kept in the know about snow emergency levels and told to not be on the road.

[@sydneybeck126]

That man is an angel

[@jenna9390]

Driving too fast for conditions is usually what happens when people drive crazy and dont pay attention in the snow. Its a shame but people never slow down

[@David-lo1fo]

They do eventually. Sometimes their right on time for their funeral.

[@rebecca-2778]

Scared drivers cause crashes too. End of the day - no one should of been out driving, and in my experience of driving the 401 in the winter, in Canada, a lot of trucks cause crashes - not cars.

[@scottmonty1828]

@@rebecca-2778 yup trucks are usually the big causes of these huge pile ups because they are in a hurry to get their products to market so they don't care how slow cars might be driving ahead of them or if someone has lost control. They just plow right through. I know I've seen it first-hand driving i80 in blizzard conditions going 25 MPH with my hazards on in the far right lane with 2 semi-trucks in both the left and right lane barreling down the highway behind me. To save my life and not get wrecked thank God I was able to take an exit ramp in the Nick of time to get off then take the ramp on the other side of the road to get back on i80 as the trucks flew by on the highway below. Now, I don't travel on high speed highways when the weather is bad. I'll take the long way home!

[@princedemetri]

Why do people continue to drive in such terrifying conditions?🥺

[@michaelwright1602]

With the truckers, it is the ELD, dispatchers sitting in Eastern Europe or some other foreign land, foreign drivers that do not speak English from places like Haiti and Africa. Then you have the CB Radio, which few even have in their trucks. The old school CB Radio, that in years past, prevented so many incidents like this. After the first car hit the ditch, every truck driver within say ten miles would know about it, and probably why. We would start backing out, turn on our four ways, and if need be, get side by side to slow traffic down, or simply stop it. That is how we used to roll, and people survived. Very rare to see that now a days, very very rare.

[@theodorewilliams5666]

stupidity at it highest level of I was the governor of the any state that gonna have bad weather like this I would tell them go ahead drive up and down the road commit suicide they think I'm crazy and wouldn't go out because apparently when the governor tell to not do it they do it. the other is a lot of ppl do take heed of the weather forecast they have doubt throw caution to the wind a venture saying the Lord got me be ppl refuse to believe he gave a brain and mind use them before u go out into weather like this.your life or job (it's not always that simple but conditions like this it should be your boss will find a replacement for job but he can't your life back u die in weather like this

[@noongourfain]

@@michaelwright1602 Sir if you don't mind explaining....why are CB radios or any kind of driver to driver communication a thing of the past?

[@brenthale5298]

Yes. Old school trucking, using cb to communicate to other drivers helped to avoid disasters like this. Been driving since 2004. The cb has helped not only avoid crashed like this one. But completely avoid being caught in the backup for hour and even a day sometimes. Unfortunately cb is not even in trucks now. On top of it. Many drivers now,just don't slow down when visibility is that low. Completely ignoring the rule of thumb of. Braking distance for mph and speed of truck. Blindly rolling a 80 000 pound rig down ice covered zero visibility roads. I see it nowadays. Every time the snow flies. Constantly on cb. Screaming SLOW DOWN. Your going to get someone killed. To replies back. F you!!!

[@michaelwright1602]

@@brenthale5298 Spot on.

[@scottscott6794]

May God bless those people in Ohio and around the country.

[@skipjack6974]

God bless this man and his sense of caring for others. We are put in the paths of others, those with the right mind. Some make use of that and the world becomes a better place. ❤

[@gpetty5875]

90% of my experience in Ohio has been extremely horrific. I have no faith in humanity. 95% of folks in Ohio especially Columbus & Whitehall are wicked, evil, Greedy,hateful & will do & say anything for money

[@bertram46]

I commented on your first report and everyone got mad at me. I drive that run often from Cleveland up to Detroit and north from there and all around the Western end of Ohio it is so flat and things blow. The first thing that comes to my mind and I practice this myself driving 60,000 miles a year is when it gets that bad get off the road it's common sense. Yet everyone's driving maybe 50 or 60 instead of 70 or 80 thinking they can stop on a dime and visibility is impaired but nothing drastic and then all of a sudden boom my heart goes out to everyone but my brain is telling me hello Common Sense folks

[@JohnWick-vb9pc]

Robert you sound like a princess

[@JohnWick-vb9pc]

@@bertram46 what color panties are you wearing princess

[@vivian2217]

Wish more people had common sense like you! So tired of hearing about major accidents that could've been prevented! Drove on the Autobahn in Germany during a bad snowstorm and EVERYONE SLOWED DOWN TO 35MPH!!No tailgating or rude unsafe behavior and NO ACCIDENTS!!

[@JohnWick-vb9pc]

@@vivian2217 you should’ve drove 100 mph

[@bertram46]

You just need an F-250 with a lift kit

[@danielagado1731]

So sad for the pregnant woman and her unborn they went straight to heaven God bless them

[@morganjanelle4282]

@@Juandelapingarcia I'm not sure why...but she had her two other children in the car _with_ her _too_ when the accident/pile-up happened. _They_ survived (with minor injuries) according to 2 reports I read last night about this accident. (The articles I read that mentioned her 2 other children, did not mention their ages, btw.)

[@rebeccachapman6950]

Now that’s some good reporting! Thank you posting this!

[@worldweary1913]

Tom! Thank you!!❤️

[@fruitsoflabor7114]

🙏🙏 for those that lost love ones.and many blessings to those that helped.

[@jeffvalentine9947]

My guy…. you saved a life! You made a huge impact in someone’s life that day. That was so awesome to help the way you did. Bless your heart.

[@JustAThought155]

Amen brother!!! Glad he was there!❤

[@lajuanjackson671]

You are a beautiful person. GOD will bless you for your kindness.

[@robturner710]

All the semi drivers need to start using their CB's again no excuse for trucks to pile up,slow down block traffic, communication is key. God Bless the families

[@juliabradshaw7383]

God bless you!

[@abcsfjajk]

God bless the man!

[@BillGraper]

That is one man whom everyone should watch & learn. There is too much hate & negativity in this world. Let people like him steer you in a better direction.

[@karenkennedy6331]

Good for you!

[@markjanssens5484]

With all due respect, why are people travelling in a blizzard in their t shirt and bare feet ?

[@marchellochiovelli7259]

He just got off a boat.

[@jewllake]

Hanus is a true Gentleman!

[@harpomarx7777]

Haynes ... One syllable with a long "A" ...

[@jeffrenman4146]

did someone else wonder why the man was only wearing a T-shirt and barefoot with -30° weather? Doesn't make any sense to me

[@roxiefern]

I did and commented on that.

[@shawntandy4326]

stay home people!

[@chula11261988]

😢💔

[@jtjtrs8806]

Every year ! Every year! People no trip is worth your life !!!

[@skipjack6974]

The truckers had no choice, many of them involved said previously that unless the roads were officially closed they are required to complete their destinations. Some of them were returning from work, medical personnel going home after tending to the sick, there are SO many people who have to be on the roads. any take this turnpike because it IS one of the most tended to by roads crews and is usually very safe to drive on in bad weather. This storm was an exception, don’t blame the drivers for doing what they felt like they had to do. Some of I-81 was shut down in NY and PA. I-90 in parts of NY is still shut down. If the road is open, you assume it is passable. Here in NY and Upstate PA they took no chances, they just closed the highways.

[@Juandelapingarcia]

Maybe you are right BUT I’m a truck driver and I was driving in the 80 west and stopped my truck in a safe heaven to wait for better conditions. I saw many many drivers, cars and trucks too driving over the speed, is crazy is stupid, is common sense drive slow and keep distance, obviously…

[@toledojeeper2932]

That’s absolutely not true , a CDL driver can refuse to drive in dangerous conditions . But you have to cover your butt if you do , have documentation of all communication with dispatch and have as much information on weather and road conditions that you can find .

[@Bikerguy5845]

Just get on the third train car you'll be ok.

[@donmoore7785]

Um, some truck drivers ignore prohibitions when restrictions are in place here in PA, so a road does not have to be "officially closed". There is not enough LE to ticket them in bad conditions because officers are too busy. "Required to complete their routes" does not justify reckless driving in dangerous conditions.

[@skipjack6974]

@@donmoore7785 Oh I whole heartedly agree, I come from a family of long haulers and there was a report on this crash earlier that a TV crewman asked why were you out in this, he said I had to or lose my job. I believe him.

[@donmoore7785]

Why would he look back the incident with "malice"? Mr. Reporter, please use a dictionary.

[@stephanyhdz92]

I think if our recent pile up here in north side fort Worth about a year ago. Of 100 cars. I pray for these people.. .. but here When it started icing out of no where one early morning,at like 3-4 am it started this. And then about 5am is when this huge crash happened

[@Lovelsparrow]

I praying for everyone in the storm .I drove from Texas to Ohio getting home last night Christmas night and scene drivings multiple states car semi truck frozen some on road some just froze was scariest I ever seen and live most of my life up in snow and never experienced this kind storm before. I wish I could help more people on drive home even stop multiple people to safety and homes wich I could brought more home God Please Blessed many lost lives and families. still involve horrible storm and please save a life if can no matter how small it very dangerous on road in multiple states. In little rock Arkansas as last night Christmas night on road update from driving cross many states and experience. bitter cold Memphis Tennessee lot snow ice on road disable car on road be very careful they are everyway still on highway you have dodge vehicles can cause bad accident stay alert same Nashville Tennessee to Ohio saw lot black ice freeze road car trucks semi trucks frozen if you don't have be on road then don't .

[@roxiefern]

I guess your reason for traveling was an emergency. If not, you should have stayed home and taken a grammar course.

[@patricktufly9662]

@@roxiefern why do people like you come on strictly to judge? you dont know people situations why this person was driving home, yet here you are, a lot of jobs dont close because of weather i worked in the medical field and was required to come into work during storms like this, had no choice, but youll still have an idiotic thing to blame me for going to work so my patients have someone to take care of them

[@hakimvlogs]

He true hero may allah bless him

[@MatheenaSyed]

I just don’t understand why ppl were out driving in that weather. I get it wanting to be with family at this time but a belated family meeting, you know postponing for a few days or so in this kind of storm and warnings that had gone out would at least have been the better choice. Got to use sense over emotions. Always.

[@scottmonty1828]

Most of those people were trying to get to the church on time for their own funeral!!

[@Calvin7007]

Please People, STAY HOME 🙏🏽

[@MexicoAdventurer]

That must have been a heinous accident.

[@cluedin]

Hero

[@MikeWise]

Good work, Tom Hanus. God really used you that day....

[@DoSum4Me]

Most of these people wouldn’t have passed away if it weren’t for transports barreling in at 60 mph+

[@roxiefern]

I'm glad Mr. Hanus was able to help, but why would that young man travel in summer clothes during a blizzard. And travel was actually advised against during this massive storm to hit the US. And there was plenty of warning time. It's better to utilize other forms of communication and be around for next year's holiday.

[@kylieharrison3782]

You don't know what you don't know. The Haitian probably simply didn't know.

[@roxiefern]

@@kylieharrison3782 Yes, I don't know the facts about the Haitian man. But I think it's likely he has access to some form of communication. And I believe the tell all would be taking a couple of steps out the door 🤔

[@maryshaffer5675]

Where were they going in such a hurry?

[@scottmonty1828]

To their own funeral!

[@cwilliams793]

OMG. What a horrible accident. Those cars are absolutely obliterated. Why don't people just stay home when that type of weather is going on outside? It's almost like they get off on dangerous conditions to see if they can beat it putting everyone's lives in danger.

[@johnmicalizzi126]

Young people drive too fast today and tailgate they think they're invincible

[@cwilliams793]

I don't understand why this roadway wasn't closed off to the public when local officials knew this storm was serious. In Oregon, they will position state troopers out on the roadway putting up overhead signs before people get to the stretch of highway and barriers where people can't get thru and have to turn around. This reeks of incompetence from the state officials.

[@mark93cobr]

I'm sorry but Oregon does not have barriers at on ramps or on its interstates for road closures. Maybe Troutdale but none other that I can think of.

[@skepticaloptimist7444]

I continue to believe in the innate goodness of people.

[@luna-pw9ln]

The problem with so many bad accidents are or is people drive too fast too close and have no way out I am a professional driver and when the weather turns bad you have to slow down and leave yourself away out

[@matthewharris-davies8368]

What speed were all these cars doing?

[@scottmonty1828]

100 MPH

[@matthewharris-davies8368]

@@scottmonty1828 🤣

[@beastlaser9611]

Glad I stay in Florida

[@medfordJimmy]

When you can't see nothing do 20-25mph until you can see to go faster. Stay in the right lane.

[@CA-bw7mf]

When weather is that Bad people need to stay off the road this pileup could’ve been avoided

[@jmacklintoc9617]

The State DOT should close the roads. Even 30 below should close it just to keep police and fire dept safe and off the road so they are not being put at risk due to the weather.

[@lupitajohnson1526]

He definitely was protect by God! 🙏🏻✝️📿🇺🇲👍🏻

[@oldtestament8052]

You shouldn't take cars or trucks out in snow or ice because of government fuel efficiency regulations they are way lighter nowdays by 500 to 1000 lbs which means they are very dangerous in snow and ice because they can't get and hold traction

[@Fishsticks187]

100% not true.

[@lilmuddr]

There is no family member, friend, that I'm going to risk my life to go see for any reason even if they are dying in the hospital. I will not put my life in jeopardy and drive in that kind of weather. If you have to go to work fine, if you know the storm is coming set up a bunk somewhere at work where you can hang out and sleep or just don't go to work.

[@iambradleysmith2275]

Wow trucks def need to stop

[@wjm2]

Me resisting the urge to comment only in Ohio-

[@Rain-or9yx]

Me nor my kids were ever In Ohio

[@lauraswihart4816]

Don't drive in it -. STOP & wait! 🛑

[@gregparks307]

So Sad that so many people die and suffer because of stupidity. SLOW DOWN for God's SAKE people! If you can't see 10 feet in front of you on an icy roadway, SLOW DOWN!!!!!

[@mikemiller9119]

How do so many of these pileups happen? Truckers aren’t radioing back to everyone to stop the freeway?

[@michaelbabella9012]

why dont people instead tell us how they were speeding too fast for road conditions in a white out before it happened...no one ever says: i f'd up!

[@hillbilly4555]

Anyone that can’t stay home during a storm ????????????

[@thedrabfour]

😁👍👍

[@joelmadrid2193]

"PANAMA RELOCATION TOURS! WITH JACKIE!🙋😊 👍❤ 👈"

[@Eddy12700]

always happens in ohio they not gonna learn ebery year same thing youd think they would stay off the road when the storm comes through

[@armandocampos9330]

People need to stay off the roads on bad weather

[@ragdollb9667]

With God there are no coincidences♥️ Thank you Lord…

[@88997799]

It’s not rocket engineering… Never ever ever ever drive faster than the distance you can see! Do you get me? Then this wouldn’t have happened.

[@Steve-ou8nw]

What highway did this happen on, "ohio turnpike" nobody calls it that.

[@Mike_Greentea]

From hati? Probably in one of those Volvo trucks that lost control! I bet $100 he had flip flops on

[@WeAreLegion-]

Looks like they needed more salt/sand and snowplows on the highway...

[@WeAreLegion-]

@Yamaszlof Mcdurkin ya sand and plows dont either lol

[@shanelambert5137]

With roads that bad why were they even on the roads, common sense says stay off them

[@dinabrown6529]

We really need to make vehicles out of nerf. Im not trying to be funny at all, but if we could make resilient vehicles that cushion and bounce impacts off think how many injuries and lives would be saved. Maybe someday in the future science will discover a polymer or foam we can make vehicles from.

[@davejones827]

Would have been much worse if all the vehicles were electric because the weigh 50 -75% more than fuel powered vehicles, a lot more to try to stop and a lot more force plowing into other cars.

[@francomtz7115]

Don't be stupid if you travel in the winter dress adequate and have a pair of insulated cover alls and boots, no matter what state you go to.

[@raywilson800]

⭐⭐⭐

[@davierogers9942]

Going to fast that's why it happened

[@Cripleo]

You gotta know when to go and not to.......

[@jay6157]

get off the road when its snowing

[@divenaldo.]

only in ohio 💀

[@willwagner2252]

Prison time for the semi drivers.

[@bigbensworld2020]

NOT a normal day in ohio

[@civicstyle01]

Bet he didn’t have a green card let alone a visa.

[@mandyomally4896]

Coward Ohio State Troopers wont stop the tractor trailers that are speeding, its these speeding trucks causing these wrecks!

[@marchellochiovelli7259]

Cowards? Then you do their job you toad.

[@mandyomally4896]

@@marchellochiovelli7259 Oh Marchello, you have got to be one of Biden's gay liberal follower's that find nothing wrong with this country and don't want to deal with problems. For 20 years I did the right thing and pulled over speeding truckers and saved lives. Good luck in your miserable liberal life of being a follower. Ill bet you even believe in Covid and got the Covid vaccine LOL LOL

[@popgoestheweasel95]

Oh, come on stop with the god speak! 😡 😡 If you’re going to give him credit for you being there, then you need to give him credit for all the people that died there. Fair? I simply can’t understand why we can’t give people credit for being good & doing what’s right. JustMyThoughts 🙄🙄 🤬 Really? 🤬

[@expatatat]

Why do these simpletons not think that the bad things that happen to them are also manifestations of god’s hate?

[@kendurham5684]

Good thing for global warming or this would be bad

[@30daykid52]

Let’s go visit family in a blizzard ignorance always trumps braind

[@DansERVvids]

Only in ohio

[@joanwayling2354]

Please stay off the roads Please

[@lefty9096]

only in ohio

[@anachronistically1751]

Dead meme

[@theactivegamers]

can't even drive in ohio

[@guard099]

as-shole truckers

[@michaeldesilvio5532]

They are selling climate change? ✈️🌨️🥶

[@dilfonicz]

Gotta buy their electric cars, know what I'm sayin?

[@donmoore7785]

Oh please. Climate change is very real. Don't drag it in here to try to score political points.

[@marchellochiovelli7259]

They can try to sell but not buying it.