BIG BEAVER BOROUGH, Pa. — In the quiet hours of Sunday morning, October 26, tragedy struck the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Shenango Road in Big Beaver Borough. At approximately 3:20 a.m., 35-year-old Abdirahman Farah of Columbus, Ohio, lost his life in a devastating crash involving his Freightliner semi-truck.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Farah was traveling westbound when his truck veered off the roadway, crossed the right shoulder, and continued through a grassy area for about 450 feet before striking a tree. The impact caused severe damage to the front of the truck. Emergency crews responded promptly, but Farah was pronounced dead at the scene. No other vehicles or individuals were involved in the incident.
The Gibsonia Barracks of the Pennsylvania State Police is leading the investigation. Authorities are examining potential factors such as driver fatigue, mechanical failure, or other contributing elements that may have caused the truck to leave its lane. Data from the vehicle’s onboard system and Turnpike surveillance footage will be analyzed to reconstruct the moments leading up to the crash. Weather conditions at the time were reported to be clear, and there were no immediate signs of road hazards in the area.
A section of the westbound Turnpike was temporarily closed to traffic while crews removed the damaged truck and cleared debris. Officials conducted an inspection of the roadway to ensure there were no remaining safety risks. The final crash report will be released once the investigation concludes.
Farah’s death has left both the Columbus trucking community and local residents mourning the loss of a dedicated professional driver. Trucking advocates have reiterated the importance of rest, alertness, and vehicle maintenance, especially during long overnight hauls. The Pennsylvania State Police expressed their condolences to Farah’s family and reaffirmed their commitment to improving highway safety for all motorists.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge all drivers to remain vigilant and adhere to safety protocols to prevent such tragedies on the road.