Almost a month to the day after an accident during a police pursuit left a Lockland police officer severely injured, West Chester police are due to issue report on what led up to the accident.
The accident happened on April 20 during a high speed police pursuit along southbound Interstate 75 near Lockland and Lincoln Heights. A West Chester Police cruiser driven by 29-year-old Officer Kevin Burger struck Lockland Police Officer Brandon Gehring as he was putting out stop sticks to stop a fleeing suspect.
The accident put Officer Gehring, 23, in the hospital with severe injuries.
An Ohio State Highway Patrol report on the accident has already concluded that a lack of communications between officers from various departments may have contributed to the accident. Now the West Chester Police Department is releasing their own report on Tuesday.
More recently, West Chester Police Chief Erik Neihaus admitted he thinks a high-tech digital police radio system, due to come online soon in Butler County, might have better protected officers. The system would reportedly make it easier for them to communicate between departments.
Meanwhile, Officer Gehring continues his recovery from the accident at the Drake Center in Hartwell, where it's believed he is now focusing on rehabilitation.
We'll have details on the West Chester police report for you as soon as it is released. Look for it here on wcpo.com and more stories and updates later on 9News.
