CANFIELD – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is deeply saddened to announce the line-of-duty death of Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton, 40, who was fatally struck while assisting a disabled vehicle on state Route 11 in Mahoning County Thursday morning.

Around 11:52 a.m., Trooper Cayton responded to state Route 11 northbound, south of U.S. 224, following reports of a disabled 2024 Kenworth semi tractor-trailer stopped in the right lane. Upon making contact with the semi driver, Nelson De Jesus Herrera Vasquez, 65, Florida, it was determined his vehicle had struck an item in the roadway.

While still on scene, Trooper Cayton was sitting in his marked cruiser with his emergency overhead lights activated when a 2007 Mack Granite, driven by Ryan Rach, 35, Canfield, traveling northbound crashed into the back of his cruiser. The cruiser then traveled forward into the back of the disabled tractor-trailer, also striking Vasquez who was standing outside of his vehicle.

Trooper Cayton was pronounced dead at the scene and Vasquez was life-flighted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Rach was uninjured in the crash.

The Canfield Fire Department, Boardman Township Fire Department, Ellsworth Fire Department, Canfield Police Department, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio Department of Transportation assisted on scene.

This crash remains under investigation. 

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From Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine:

Fran and I are saddened to learn about the line of duty death of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Cayton. This is a heartbreaking loss for his family, OSHP, and all Ohioans. Every day, law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect the people of our state. Fran and I extend our deepest condolences to Trooper Cayton’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time, and we will keep them all in our prayers.Fran and I are saddened to learn about the line of duty death of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Nicholas Cayton. This is a heartbreaking loss for his family, OSHP, and all Ohioans. Every day, law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to protect the people of our state. Fran and I extend our deepest condolences to Trooper Cayton’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time, and we will keep them all in our prayers.

From Attorney General Dave Yost:

Attorney General Yost’s Statement
on Fallen State Trooper

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following statement regarding the death of Trooper Nicholas P. Cayton, who was killed in the line of duty Thursday morning.

“In service and sacrifice, Trooper Cayton honored the badge and fulfilled his sacred oath to the community.

“My deepest condolences are with the family, friends and colleagues of this fallen hero.”

From Governor Mike DeWine: