Ohio: Colerain officer struck by pickup truck identified as 15 year veteran, father of 3
A 15-year veteran Colerain Township police officer is in critical condition, struck by a vehicle while at the scene of a crash, Police Chief Mark Denney said Saturday.
The crash happened late Friday night. Police said a vehicle crashed into a pole in the area of Banning Road and Colerain Avenue.
According to Denney, a Colerain Township officer – identified as Dale Woods – responded to the scene.
Authorities said Woods, 46, was struck by pickup truck while waiting for power crews to arrive on the scene. He was outside of his police cruiser when he was struck.
Woods was taken to an area hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Woods has been a Colerain officer for nearly 15 years, Denney said, and has nearly 15 years' experience as a firefighter and paramedic.
He is a father of three children, Denney added.
Authorities have provided little information but said the driver of the pickup truck stayed at the scene.
Saturday was a somber day across the township as fellow officers and residents alike await answers.
"I just wanted them to know we are thinking about them and that their family and friends are in our hearts," said Colerain Township resident Pam Ellis. "I just wanted to leave a little something at their door to let them know that they are appreciated."
Ellis and Gary Krollman said they both have been impacted by members of law enforcement in various ways throughout their time living in the township.
"They've helped us out so many times, and we've helped them out. It's a bond. It feels like we just all know them," said Krollman, owner of Kahoots Sports Bar and Grill.
Ohio State Patrol Sargent Christina Hayes said traffic stops along a busy highway can make the law enforcement jobs extremely dangerous.
"People pull up to a scene and see the flashing lights and get so focused on the lights that they fail to pay attention to the surroundings around them so that makes our job dangerous," Hayes said.
Jenifer Moore of AAA said the dangerous reality is eye-awakening.
"Traffic incidents are the number one cause of fatalities for law enforcement personnel so we stress to motorist to be alert when you are driving," Moore said.
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