BY DAVID ECK
Enquirer Contributor
FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP -- A West Chester man was injured Tuesday morning in a fiery accident that closed Bypass 4 in Fairfield Township for about six hours. Robert Kenworthy, 45, was flown to University Hospital after the southbound 1997 Ford pickup truck he was driving apparently went left of center and was struck head-on by a tractor-trailer driven by Steve Helmes, 50, of Mason, said Fairfield Township police Lt. Alan Laney.
The hospital would not release Mr. Kenworthy's condition before notifying relatives.
Mr. Helmes crawled from the truck as it burst into flames. He was treated for bruised ribs and a bruised lung at Mercy Hospital Hamilton.
The accident happened about 10:30 a.m. between Ohio 4 and Ohio 129.
The semi was pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with a commercial air conditioners.
Mr. Kenworthy was traveling south on Bypass 4 when he apparently crossed the center line striking the semi nearly head-on, said Fairfield Township Police Capt. Alan Laney. He was trapped in the pickup for about 10 minutes.
The pickup traveled about 75 feet after the accident, ending up in a ditch.
The semi truck rested about 100 yards from the accident site, the cab burned completely.
Bypass 4, a major artery, was closed for about six hours.
The accident remains under investigation by Fairfield Township police and the Butler County Sheriff's Department.
