Ohio Man Ejected from Airborne Car and Dies on Highway

An Ohio man died when he was ejected from his vehicle that overturned onto a highway Wednesday night, according to multiple reports. Hamilton County dispatch supervisors said that Anthony Griffith, 28, of Harrison, Ohio, was heading west on Interstate 74 in a 2013 Ford Focus at around 11 p.m., local time, when he was involved

An Ohio man died when he was ejected from his vehicle that overturned onto a highway Wednesday night, according to multiple reports.

Hamilton County dispatch supervisors said that Anthony Griffith, 28, of Harrison, Ohio, was heading west on Interstate 74 in a 2013 Ford Focus at around 11 p.m., local time, when he was involved in a crash at the Rybolt Road/Harrison Pike exit, per Fox affiliate WXIX.

According to the outlet, Griffith's car ran off of the left side of the road, hit a concrete drain, went airborne and overturned a couple of times, prompting him to be ejected. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was pronounced dead at the scene, per authorities.

Interstate 74 was closed for several hours overnight following the incident.

Authorities believe drugs or alcohol could have played a role in the crash, ABC affiliate WCPO reported, adding that Griffith was alone in the vehicle at the time.

PEOPLE reached out to the Green Township Police Department for comment, but they did not immediately respond.

Further investigation into the crash is being handled by the Green Township Police Traffic Unit, Green Township Fire and EMS, and the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office, according to NBC affiliate WLWT.

In the wake of Griffith's passing, his family took to social media. Griffith's mother, Marianne Bell, wrote on Facebook, "It is with a very heavy and sad heart I let all my Facebook friends and family know. Last night my youngest son Anthony (AJ) was in a car crash that was fatal."

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She added, "The wonderful Son, Brother, Friend, Dad, human is no longer with us. His beautiful loving soul is with all the loved one [sic] who went before him, but I know his Memaw was waiting for him at the gate. I am grieving with his sisters, his brother and his true loves Jade and Aurora. We know this will not be easy but we ask for all your prayers and love. Arrangements to follow."

Griffith's cousin, Mary Adams, also wrote on Facebook, "Prayers for a family member (cousin) who was involved in a car accident yesterday on 74 and unfortunately didn't make it. Prayers for his mom Marianne Bell, dad Joe Griffith, Sisters Mary Butsch, Heather Anne Griffith, Shelby Griffith and Brother Nick Bell as well as his many other family and friends."

"He never was without that silly grin and genuine soul," she continued. "Prayers also for his soulmate Jade White and beautiful 2-month-old baby girl Aurora Jade (AJ). God wrap your arms around them and all his family and friends. You are loved and will be missed AJ. Still in shock. Don't take family for granted, this life isn't forever as we so sadly learned!"

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