Patrolman Ernest E. Cole

Ernest E. Cole

Patrolman Ernest Cole was struck and killed by a vehicle while attempting to direct traffic around a multiple-car pileup on I-75 in Butler County.

Dense fog forced drivers to slow their speed dramatically. Near the Cincinnatti-Dayton Road Interchange, the driver of a car hit his brakes abruptly, causing a car behind him to rear-end him. Another car swerved to avoid hitting the cars and was struck by a tractor-trailer, spinning the vehicle into the bridge guard rail and killing the driver. Thirteen additional cars collided with each other as they reached the crash scene. At 7:30 a.m., Patrolman Cole arrived on the scene and set up flares near Tylersville Road. While he was directing traffic, a vehicle struck him, killing him instantly. Another multi-car pileup occurred after his death. It took over 4 hours to clean up the collision area, and 25 people were injured.

A few drivers were charged with second-degree manslaughter but were never indicted.

Patrolman Cole was a United States Air Force veteran and had served with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, stationed at the Dayton Post. He was survived by his wife, child, and parents.