OHIO — A violent crash on Montgomery Road in Sycamore Township left one man dead and another person critically injured late Wednesday morning, according to local authorities.
Sycamore Township Fire EMS crews were dispatched to the scene at approximately 11 a.m. and arrived within minutes, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Fronimos said. Investigators determined that a 2007 Toyota Corolla was traveling northbound on Montgomery Road at a high rate of speed when it clipped a Mercedes near the intersection with East Galbraith Road.
After striking the Mercedes, the Toyota swerved off the roadway and hit a curb. According to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle then went airborne, struck tree branches, clipped a utility pole, rotated sideways, and hit a second utility pole, breaking it and bringing down power lines. The impact was so severe that the Corolla was reportedly cut in half.
Fire officials said the extensive damage required a prolonged extrication to remove the occupants from the vehicle. Both victims were transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The driver, identified as 28-year-old Conner Walchle, was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. His passenger remained critically injured. Authorities said both occupants were from South Carolina and were visiting the area for the holiday.
The driver of the Mercedes was not injured.
Downed power lines created additional hazards for emergency crews and the public, officials said. Montgomery Road remained closed following the crash due to the damaged utility poles, and no estimate was given for when the roadway would reopen.
