Toledo’s early morning highways turned deadly on November 25, 2025, when 36-year-old Nicholas Andres Quintero was struck and killed while walking along Interstate 80 in Lucas County.
The accident happened around 3:45 a.m. near mile marker 8, east of the Ohio Turnpike interchange, in an area lit only by headlights and passing traffic. Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers arrived to find Nicholas suffering from critical injuries after being hit by a vehicle traveling eastbound. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle, a 24-year-old man from Michigan, remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators. Troopers confirmed he was not impaired and no charges have been filed at this time.
The crash remains under investigation, with authorities examining visibility conditions, speed, and whether Nicholas was walking on the shoulder or in the travel lanes. The stretch of I-80 is heavily traveled by semi-trucks at that hour, and the darkness made the situation especially dangerous.
A second vehicle also struck Nicholas after the initial impact, further complicating the scene. Both drivers called 911 immediately, and the interstate was shut down for several hours while troopers reconstructed the incident. Dash-cam footage and witness statements are being reviewed to determine the exact sequence of events.
Nicholas grew up in Toledo, a city that shaped his quiet strength and gentle way of caring for others. Friends remember him as the guy who always checked in, who showed up when someone needed help moving or just needed to talk. He faced his share of challenges but met them with a calm resilience that inspired the people closest to him.
Family meant everything to Nicholas. He was a devoted son, brother, and uncle whose warmth filled every room he entered. Weekends were often spent with loved ones, sharing meals, telling stories, and making the kind of memories that now feel even more precious. His kindness was simple but deep: a phone call on a bad day, a favor without being asked, a smile that made people feel seen.
Toledo has lost a good man far too soon. Nicholas Andres Quintero may have walked quietly through life, but he left footprints of love that will not fade. The community wraps his family in support as they grieve. Funeral arrangements will be shared by loved ones in the coming days.