NKY

Fort Wright police chief: 'Horrific collision' kills 4

Scott Wartman, and Cameron Knight

Cincinnati

Fort Wright Police haul away on of two vehicles involved in a head-on collision on Highland Avenue in which four people were killed. A car with a single male occupant was eastbounf on Highland Avenue, crossed the centerline and struck the other car, which contained two women and one man, head on. The Enquirer/Patrick Reddy

Four people were killed Tuesday afternoon in what the Fort Wright police chief described as "a horrific collision."

All four died at the scene at Highland Pike and Reeves Drive, Chief Dan Kreinest said. They were all adults.

Police said witnesses saw a man driving erratically down the hill from Kyles Lane when his vehicle crossed into the oncoming lanes and struck another car with three occupants head-on.

A roll-back truck hauls away one of two vehicles involved in a head-on collision on Highland Avenue in which four people were killed.

The man in the car that crossed the line was the only occupant of that car.

A medical helicopter was called to the scene to treat one person, but attempts were unsuccessful. The other three were dead at the scene of the 3 p.m. crash, police said.

Highland Pike reopened just before 6:30 p.m.

Authorities won't release the names of the victims until Wednesday so the families can be notified.

Fort Wright Mayor Dave Hatter said his heart sank when he heard news. The crash happened when school was letting out. He thought of his family and friends. The news sent anxiety through the city, he said.

"It is almost mind-boggling," Hatter said. "Cars are much safer than they used to be. They have air bags. People wear seat belts. Hard to believe there would be a tragedy in our area like that. It is really depressing. I can only imagine what the families are going through."

While the cause of the crash remains unknown, the intersection of Reeves Drive and Highland Pike has been a safety concern for awhile, Hatter said.

The 45 mph speed limit on Highland and congestion contributes to crashes, officials have said. The spot where the crash occurred on Highland Pike climbs a steep grade into the side of a wooded hill. The three-lane road connects two busy intersections in the area. A few roads branch off into neighborhoods set back from the road. Two lanes head up the hill to Kyles Lane, which leads to Interstate 75. The single lane traveled by the single-occupant vehicle descends to Madison Pike and a collection of shopping centers.

Hatter hopes the state will revisit the speed limit on Highland Pike.

Fort Wright Police blocked off Highland Avenue while they investigated a wreck that killed four people. A car with a single male occupant was eastbound on Highland Avenue, crossed the centerline and struck the other car; which contained two women and one man, head on.

"Traffic has been and will continue to be a problem," Hatter said. "We're at the crossroads of every major road in Northern Kentucky. It's hard to go north without going through Fort Wright."

The intersection has caused concerns among city leaders, but the police chief said they don't see an unusually high rate of crashes there.

Fort Wright Police were assisted by police departments from Edgewood, Lakeside Park and Kenton County as well as the Kenton County Sheriff's Department.

The Enquirer will update this story as more information becomes available.

The location of the accident in Fort Wright, Kentucky, that killed four.