A crash involving a van and a tractor-trailer claimed the lives of two men Thursday morning on Interstate 71.

The Ashland post of the Highway State Patrol is investigating the accident that occurred around 4:30 a.m., when a van traveling northbound rear-ended a tractor-trailer just north of the U.S. 250 exit.

State troopers are still trying to figure out what led to the deadly accident in Ashland County.

Investigators say Julius Manning, 62, of Cleveland, drove his minivan into the back of a tractor-trailer on I-71, north of U-S 250.

Manning was killed on impact.  He was not wearing a seatbelt.

The truck driver, Bryce Seymour, 53, of Geneva, was able to pull the truck to the shoulder.

But troopers say it appears he then collapsed from a medical condition while stepping out of the truck.

He died on the roadway.

Blood tests will help determine if alcohol played any part in the crash.