Driver charged in fatal crash on NB I-71 in Warren County due in court

LEBANON, Ohio - The man allegedly responsible for a six-vehicle accident in which one person was killed is due in court Thursday.

The crash happened around 10 a.m. Monday at mile marker 34 in Lebanon, just north of the Jeremiah Morrow Bridge. Six vehicles, including two semi trucks and a PT cruiser were involved in the crash.

Police say 23-year-old Robert Landress, of Cartersville, Ga. was responsible for the crash.

According to police, William Felton, 52, of Morrow, Ohio was driving a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser northbound on I-71 when he began to slow down in the right lane due to traffic.

His vehicle was then struck in the rear by a semi truck which was driven by Landress. The impact forced Felton's car into the rear of another semi truck, operated by Tom Brown, 43, of Liberty Township, that was directly in front of him.

Landress continued northbound and struck three other vehicles including a 2009 Ford Escape, operated by Kimberly Helton, 50 of Clarksville, a 2011 Toyota Camry driven by Alex Smith, 53, of Liberty Township, and a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, operated by Muir Hanke, 41, of Loveland.

Police say Felton was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith was transported to Arrow Springs Hospital where he was treated and released for non-life threatening injuries.

Brown, Helton and Hanke did not sustain injuries.

Landress was charged with vehicular homicide and is currently being held in the Warren County Jail. He'll face a judge in Lebanon Municipal Court.

All northbound lanes were closed for about five hours while crews worked to clear the roads.

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