MARIETTA – One person was killed in an accident early this morning on Interstate 77 near milepost 16 in Aurelius Township in Washington County, the Marietta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol today said.

A 2015 Freightliner operated by Robert Bartic, 58, of Toledo went off the right side of the southbound lane, went over an embankment and into a ditch before coming to rest, the patrol said. The accident, which occurred around 3:15 a.m. today, remains under investigation, the patrol said.

Responding agencies included the patrol, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Department of Transportation, Salem Township Volunteer Fire Department and Squad, Fearing Township Fire Department, Washington County Coroner’s Office and Pine Tree Towing.