Victims, driver ID'd in fatal crash following police pursuit

The car that crashed into a building following a police chase early Friday, killing two passengers, was driven by James Walker, 19, according to Springfield Township police officials.

Demarco S. Leary, 17, and Decter Hudson, 18, were killed in the crash, which caused the building to collapse on top of the vehicle holding the young men.

The vehicle was part of a police chase in Springfield Township that started at about 2:30 a.m.

Officers were attempting to stop three suspects from breaking into cars on Meredith Drive, when they took off.

Police followed as the vehicle struck mailboxes. They lost sight of it and then found it crashed into Finneytown Mower Sales & Services on 1067 W. North Bend Road about 3:30 a.m.

The business, which had crumpled into a "V," is located at the end of Daly Road and has been damaged by vehicles "many" times, said Springfield Township police Sgt. Rick Heimpold.

Walker managed to get out of the vehicle after the crash, but the rubble trapped and killed his passengers, Heimpold said.

Walker's last known condition was "serious, but stable," the sergeant said.

No charges have been filed.

Robert Campbell and Tina Wagner, co-owners of the business, watched in shock Friday morning. The building is owned by Wagner's father, Gary Wagner.

The small, family-owned mechanic and mower business has been at the location since 1987.

"I got a call from my father this morning saying to turn on the news because I wasn't going to believe it," Tina Wagner said.

Wagner and Campbell said that the vehicle appeared to be in the middle of their showroom, filled with lawnmowers and other machinery. Campbell was worried that equipment of customers was likely destroyed.

"I've seen a lot of accidents right here," said Campbell, who grew up in North College Hill and as a child rode his bike through the area. "I wouldn't ever send my children out here."

About three years ago, Campbell and Wagner said a different vehicle hit the same building, clipping a front corner with glass window panes.

"We ended up just boxing off that corner and making it an office," Campbell said. "But, man, I never thought this would happen."

They only had enough money to insure the loan on the building, but not the building itself.

"We were just starting up our winter pick-up service," Wagner said. "So much for that ... I'm just in shock. I never thought this would happen."