Williamsburg man dies in crash

The second fatal crash in a week on a Clermont County highway involving the failure to maintain a safe distance ahead occurred last weekend near Williamsburg.

A 39-year-old Williamsburg man was killed at about 11:50 a.m. Oct. 1, on state Route 32 and a 39-year-old Mt. Orab man has been charged with vehicular homicide.

Daniel Carter was driving a Ford farm tractor westbound when he was hit from behind by a Pontiac Bonneville, driven by Gary Cox, 39, of Mt. Orab.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, after being hit, the tractor spun clockwise off the right side of the road and rolled, throwing Carter and then crushing him as the tractor continued to roll over. Carter was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash occurred in a 60 mile-per-hour zone on the divided highway. The tractor was displaying a slow-moving vehicle symbol was was being driven in the right lane partially in the berm, police said.

According to police, Cox said that he dropped a cigarette just before running into the tractor. He was checked at the scene and released with no apparent injuries.

Cox is charged with vehicular homicide, a misdemeanor that prohibits causing the death of another by driving negligently or committing a traffic violation, police said.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, vehicles traveling at 55 miles per hour require about 140 feet to stop under ideal conditions. Prior to applying the breaks, the average driver travels more than 120 feet from the time they perceive and then react to another vehicle ahead.

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