Butler County Sheriff's Office

[Public Info Officer]

For Immediate Release… October 4, 2011

3-Vehicle Crash in Milford Township, Semi Catches Fire

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones reports Deputies and Emergency Personnel from several area agencies responded to a fiery, 3-vehicle crash on US Route 127 in Milford Township around 11:45 am today. Preliminary reports indicate no significant injuries to the drivers involved.

That preliminary report suggests Jetta Heger, age 77, of Hamilton was travelling southbound on US Route 127, and apparently lost control. Her 2008 Ford Fusion veered into the northbound lane just south of the Eaton Road intersection, clipping a semi tractor/trailer, driven by Barney Elliott, age 46, of Walton, KY, causing minor damage to the tractor. The car then spun into a second, northbound semi tractor/trailer hauling steel coils, driven by Donald New, age 68, of Dayton, KY, striking it near its fuel tank, as that tractor/trailer was on the bridge over Seven Mile Creek. New’s tractor and trailer quickly became fully engulfed in flames. All three drivers (all sole occupants of their vehicles) were able to get out and avoid the fire. Heger was the only victim transported from the scene by squad. Wayne Twp. transported her to Fort Hamilton Hospital for what appeared to be minor visible injuries.

In addition to multiple fire and law enforcement agencies, the Butler County EMA, Ohio Department of Transportation, and the Environmental Protection Agency also responded. Diesel fuel appeared to have spilled into Seven Mile Creek and was being contained. US Route 127 will be closed for several hours for investigative and cleanup efforts. It could remain closed considerably longer as ODOT officials will be determining the structural integrity of the bridge and decking of the roadway across the creek. No charges have yet been filed, and the crash remains under investigation by Butler County’s Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team (S.T.A.R.T.).

Prepared by: Sgt. Monte Mayer
Public Information Officer
Operations Support