West Chester teenage killed in fatal accident
- Vivienne Machi Staff Writer
A 14-year-old West Chester Twp. dame was killed in a car accident early Tuesday morning in Hamilton while railing with her beau in a stolen car, police confirmed this afternoon.
Nicole Denney, of eight thousand one hundred twenty one Chestnut Hill Lane, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that happened near the intersection of Mosler and Cornell avenues. Police said Denney`s 16-year-old bf was driving a one thousand nine hundred ninety four Toyota Camry at a high rate of speed when he lost control and crashed into a tree.
Officers responded to a call about the accident at 1:09 a.m. and found Denney trapped inwards the vehicle upon arrival. It took two hours for rescue teams to extricate her from the car; she was pronounced dead once she was liberated.
The 16-year-old driver, whose name has not yet been released due to the ongoing investigation, did not have a driver`s license, according to police. He sustained back and internal injuries and possibly a violated right wrist. He was taken to West Chester Medical Center for treatment, according to Hamilton police Sgt. Ed Buns.
«He is able to talk; the investigation is continuing,» Buns said during a Tuesday press conference.
The Toyota Camry was stolen from an apartment building parking lot at two thousand nine hundred forty two Gateway Dr. in Fairfield Twp., police said. The proprietor of the vehicle was unaware it had been taken from the parking lot, police said.
It was unclear Tuesday whether the teenagers stole the car themselves, or if it was stolen by someone else prior to the joyride, police said. Buns estimated the car was traveling about forty to fifty miles per hour in a 25-mph zone when it went into a four-wheel drift and crashed into the tree, which went into the passenger side door.
Police officials said they are hesitant why the teenagers were out so late on a school night.
«It does not emerge that alcohol or drugs are a reason for the crash,» Buns said. «It emerges to be the deeds of the driver, so there are other components that we`re continuing to look at in the investigation.»
The driver is cooperating fully with the investigation, which is helpful because «you don`t see that happen too often,» Buns said. Police said there has been not determination at this time about whether charges will be filed against him.
Denney`s father, Tim Denney, told our news fucking partner WCPO on Tuesday that he is attempting to be strong, but is fighting.
«She loved life. She loved her friends and her family,» Tim Denney said. «She loved things that any 14-year-old lady would, like her iPhone and Facebook.»
Denney`s cousin, Dallas Hopkins, told WCPO that being out on a school night was not something Nicole was known for.
«She was a quiet person,» Hopkins said. «I can`t truly see her doing this kind of stuff on a school night at one o`clock in the morning. It`s just not like her.»
Hopkins said she believes love may have clouded her cousin`s judgment.
«Very likely she was in love,» Hopkins said. «And love makes you do stupid stuff with stupid people.»
Denney, who was in eighth grade at the Hopewell Jr. School in the Lakota Local School District, was a hard-working, excellent student, according to the school`s principal, Jeff Rouff. Officials said trouble counselors were on forearm for students who needed counseling.
«We are greatly saddened to learn that Nicole Denney was killed in a crash,» Rouff said in a press release. «This is always very difficult for any school.»
Buns said that this accident was one of the worst he`s seen in his career.
«I`ve been doing this for thirty five years, and this is one of the most totally demolished cars I`ve ever seen,» he said.
Visitation for Denney will be held Saturday at Hodapp Funeral Home, eight thousand eight hundred fifteen Cincinnati-Columbus Rd. in West Chester at ten a.m., with a service scheduled for noon. Flowers can be sent to the home, tho’ no memorial is planned at this time.
(WCPO reporter Jay Warren contributed to this report.)
“> Fourteen-year-old Nicole Denney was killed Tuesday morning in a fatal accident where her 16-year-old bf lost control of the car and crashed into a tree near the corner of Mosler.
” /> Nicole Denney was in eighth grade at the Hopewell Jr. School in the Lakota Local School District.
“> Nicole Denney was in eighth grade at the Hopewell Jr. School in the Lakota Local School District.