Truck driver faces charge after Madison County fatal crash killed Gahanna man

MOUNT STERLING, Ohio (WCMH) — A semi-truck driver involved in a fatal crash over the weekend in Madison County is now facing charges. According to the Madison County Sheriff's Office, 42-year-old Bekhzod Asrarov was operating a silver 2020 Freightliner Cascadia just after 1:30 a.m. Sunday on Interstate 71 South, just beyond State Route 56 and the Mount Sterling exit. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported at the time that the truck struck the rear of a gray 2025 Honda Accord, driven by 21-year-old Tobias Forsythe, of Gahanna. The Honda was propelled through the median cable barrier and came to rest in the northbound lanes. Medics at the scene pronounced Forsythe dead and Asrarov was taken to a Columbus hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Forsythe was a soccer goalkeeper for the University of Massachusetts Lowell. "Although Toby's time as a River Hawk was cut far too short, he left a meaningful impact and will always be remembered as a cherished member of our UMass Lowell family," said Director of Athletics Lynn Coutts in a statement. While processing the scene, a sheriff’s deputy noticed that the semi-truck’s cab’s dash camera was missing from the mount on the front windshield. The deputy reported that, using a translater, he asked Asrarov, who was being evaluated in an ambulance, where the camera was located. Asrarov reportedly pointed to his pocket while nodding and it was seized, along with three cell phones and a tablet, as evidence for an investigation. When approached by OSHP troopers at the hospital, Asrarov was able to communicate that he was driving the semi-truck and was the lone occupant. He then requested a lawyer through Google Translate. The investigation into what led to the crash is still under investigation and Asrarov was arrested on one count of tampering with evidence. An arraignment hearing has not yet been scheduled, according to court records.