The driver who caused a wrong-way crash on Interstate 275 Saturday morning had a seizure that preceded the accident.
Here's the official release from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department:
Symmes Township, September 12th, 2020 – Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Neil reports a five car, serious injury crash which occurred in the westbound lanes of IR-275 between Loveland-Madeira Road and Montgomery Road on Saturday, September 12th, 2020 at 9:17 am.
Rodney Schwartz, male, age 51, of Goshen, Ohio was operating a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac eastbound on IR-275 near the 51.8 mile post. After suffering from an apparent seizure, Mr. Schwartz abruptly swerved to the left thru an emergency vehicle cross-over. Mr. Schwartz, now traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of IR-275, then struck Yvonne Brown, female, age 58, of Cincinnati, Ohio who was operating a 2012 Honda Civic in the center lane of travel. Next, Mr. Schwartz struck Tenaha Dickerson, female, age 30, of Cincinnati, Ohio who was operating a 2015 Chrysler 200, in the left lane of travel. At this point, Mr. Schwartz crossed all westbound lanes of travel and struck Tylie Kleweno, female, age 27, of Loveland, Ohio who was operating a 2011 Chevrolet Impala in the right lane of travel. Finally Mr. Schwartz struck Anne Moloney, female, age 58, of Loveland, Ohio who was operating a 2015 Mazda 3 in the right lane of travel.
Fire Departments from Loveland-Symmes, Indian Hill, Milford and Miami Township responded to the scene. Tylie Klweno was mechanically extricated from her vehicle by the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department and transported to Bethesda
North Hospital with serious injuries. All other involved drivers were transported to Bethesda North Hospital with minor injuries.
All drivers were utilizing their seat belts with the exception of Mr. Schwartz.
Speed and impairment are not believed to be factors in the crash. IR-275 westbound was closed for approximately 2 ½ hours while deputies investigated the crash. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit.
NOTE: None of the drivers involved in the crash were participating in the planned Trump Parade which occurred on IR-275 later in the morning.