“… now, many local departments have adopted a new policy. They use their vehicles to create a safe zone around an accident scene to help protect everyone from oncoming traffic…”
October 20, 2004
Story by whiotv.com
XENIA TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Xenia Township’s fire chief responded to an accident scene and his vehicle ended up getting struck. However, the location of his vehicle may have saved someone’s life. The accident happened around 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of Ludlow and Linebaugh roads.
Firefighters were initially dispatched to an accident on Route 235 and Ludlow Road but when they got there, they found no crash. Authorities found the accident down the road a few minutes later.
When firefighters arrived, they found a car on its side. The woman who was driving received minor injuries and was walking around. Tim Spradlin, Xenia Township fire chief, was one of the first people on the scene. Investigators said Spradlin parked his emergency vehicle about 100 feet away from the accident to protect the people handling the investigation. Spradlin said a short time later, a vehicle came out of nowhere and struck his vehicle. Authorities said the man in the car suffered a head injury and was taken to Miami Valley Hospital.
Several years ago, a Washington Township firefighters and a Centerville police officer were killed while handling an accident on Interstate 675. Now, many local departments have adopted a new policy. They use their vehicles to create a safe zone around an accident scene to help protect everyone from oncoming traffic.
People who live in the area said the hill on Ludlow Road is dangerous and many drivers go too fast. The official cause of both accidents is still under investigation. Troopers are trying to determine if weather conditions or speed were involved in the accident.