Trooper urges caution to drivers after 2nd deadly Warren County crash

The state trooper investigating the second fatal crash in the past week in Warren County urged drivers to buckle up their seat belts and keep their eyes on the road.

Fred Carmack, 74, of Morrow died Wednesday when another car at the intersection of Ohio 123 and Ohio 132 in Harlan Twp. driven by Danny Hiler, 71, of Georgetown ran a stop sign and crashed into his car at 11:47 p.m., according to the Ohio Highway Patrol.

RELATED: State Patrol: Man, 74, dies after driver, 71, runs stop sign in 2-car crash

Carmack died after being transported by ambulance to Bethesda Arrow Springs outside Lebanon.

Hiler was transported by ambulance to Bethesda North Hospital in Montgomery for treatment of serious injuries.

“Neither driver had on a seat belt,” Trooper Patrick Wright said Thursday.

Still under investigation was why Hiler failed to stop, Wright said.

In addition, Wright said distracted driving could result in drivers taking their eyes off the road momentarily, traveling left of the center line on the road and into on-coming traffic.

RELATED: Teen crash victim mourned at school, church

In the first fatal crash this week, it remained unclear what prompted Thomas D. Williamitis, 16, of Oregonia to cross the center line on Ohio 48 in Clearcreek, between Lytle-Five Points Road and Ohio 73 in Cleacreek Twp., triggering a four-car pile-up.

Williamitis, headed to school at Dayton Christian High School, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Visitation for Williamitis is set for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at Countryside Church of the Nazarene, 1436 Deerfield Road in Lebanon.

MORE: Lebanon man to face citation in head-on crash with ambulance

No updates were available on the condition of Terry Vanderberg, 47, of Centerville, who was was transported by a Careflight helicopter from the crash to Miami Valley Hospital.

On Tuesday, she was being treated for life-threatening injuries and listed in critical condition, according to Lt. Chuck O’Bryon of the Ohio Highway Patrol.

It was also the second fatal crash of 2018 in the fast-growing county, according to O’Bryon, commander of the Lebanon patrol post.

Trooper Wright said drivers should strive to disregard their cellphones and other distractions when behind the wheel of a moving motor vehicle.

“Sometimes people are trying to do multiple things and drive down the road at the same time,” Wright said.

About the Author