Tuesday, June 23, 1998
ANDERSON TOWNSHIP -- Truman D. Lewis, 84, of the 8100 block of Beechmont Avenue, has been charged with vehicular homicide. A Hamilton County coroner ruled that the driver of a car his Buick struck June 17 died as a result of the accident.
Hamilton County sheriff's deputies said Mr. Lewis was turning left from New England Club Drive at about 2:15 p.m. onto westbound Beechmont Avenue when his car struck a Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Amy E. Lowery, 84, of the 1100 block of King Louis Court.
Ms. Lowery was taken to Anderson Mercy Hospital and then by helicopter to University Hospital, where she died.
Pedestrian sues police officer, city
An Over-the-Rhine woman sued a Cincinnati police officer and the city of Cincinnati in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on Monday, claiming he permanently injured her when he drove his car into her as she crossed a street in September.
Connie Benton claims that Officer Paul VonHolle, a District 1 investigator, struck her Sept. 4 as he turned onto Central Parkway from West 14th Street. She was walking in a designated crosswalk, according to the lawsuit.
Ms. Benton claims severe and permanent injuries to her face, teeth, ankle, arms, neck, knees, legs and lower back.
She seeks more than $25,000 in damages. Officer VonHolle could not be reached for comment.
Drowned student had been drinking
ATHENS, Ohio -- An Ohio University student whose body was found in the Hocking River last month had a relatively high blood alcohol level, the Athens County coroner said Monday.
Final autopsy results showed that Keith Noble, 19, of Worthington had a blood alcohol level of 0.24 percent, Dr. Eric Hasemeier said. The coroner said he could not be sure how much Mr. Noble drank because people's tolerance to alcohol varies, but he added, " . . . .24 is way beyond drunk."
"If I had to take a rough guesstimate I would say he had a minimum of a couple six packs," Dr. Hasemeier said.
The coroner listed drowning as the cause of death but said alcohol intoxication was a secondary cause.
Mr. Noble disappeared on April 25 after attending a party. Two students walking along the river found his body May 6.
Dayton cops picket over contract offer
DAYTON, Ohio -- About 25 police officers and supporters picketed City Hall on Monday to protest what they called an inadequate contract offer from the city.
"We want them to know we're serious about this," said Tom Bennett, president of the local Fraternal Order of Police. "We're tired of the stuff they've been pulling in negotiations. We're hoping the citizens of Dayton will back us on this."
Mr. Bennett said midlevel managers for the city recently received pay raises averaging 4.6 percent and full-paid medical benefits. By contrast, Mr. Bennett said, police were offered a 1 percent pay increase and only partial payment of health insurance. That would amount to a 3 percent pay cut, he said.
Mr. Bennett said police were also picketing at the Dayton Convention Center and plan to picket at future city commission meetings.
A message seeking comment was left Monday for Mayor Mike Turner.
