NEWS

Woman killed by tree that crushed car was retired teacher

Henry Molski, and Cameron Knight
Cincinnati
Jacqueline Carr

A 65-year-old woman was killed after a tree crushed her car in Bond Hill Saturday afternoon, according to police.

The tree fell on top of Jacqueline Carr's Chevrolet Impala as she was driving northbound on Reading Road around 3:40 p.m. Sunday, according to police.

Carr was a music teacher for Cincinnati Public Schools for 30 years, where she taught in high schools and elementary schools throughout the district. She retired from Taft High School in 2001.

When officials reached the scene they found Carr, 65, the car's only occupant, dead on arrival, according to Cincinnati Police Department Lt. Dennis Swingley.

The tree was marked to be taken down by the City of Cincinnati as a preventative measure.

"I want to offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jacqueline Carr," Mayor John Cranley said in a statement Monday morning. "The terrible accident that occurred shakes us all. We will do everything we can to get answers in a timely manner."

City Manager Harry Black said, "Jacqueline Carr's death is an unthinkable tragedy. ... We send our condolences and prayers to her family during this difficult time."

"The tree met her in the road," said Leonard Washington, of Price Hill.

Washington said he saw her driving moments before the tree fell.

"It took her front seat and peeled it all the way to the back," Washington said as he described what he found when he rushed to the crash.

"I could hear her talk," Washington said. "She had a little bit of jaw movement. I was talking with OnStar in her car and let them know that she had expired."

All of Reading Road was closed near the accident during the investigation.

Police ruled that speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash. The investigation is ongoing.