Saturday, January 30, 1999
Police: Student's death probably accidental
Fence-scaling accident called 'unusual tragedy'
BY TANYA BRICKING and DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The death of an 18-year-old Woodward High School sophomore after he was injured scaling a fence Thursday probably will be ruled accidental, Cincinnati police said.
Police are awaiting autopsy results, including toxicology tests, which will determine whether Andre Jones had drugs or alcohol in his system.
“It appears it will be closed as an accidental death resulting from a fall,” said Sgt. Anthony Carter, a Cincinnati homicide supervisor.
Mr. Jones and several other students were gathered in an unauthorized area behind the Bond Hill school at lunch break when one of the school's seven guards approached them, district security chief Bob Morgan said. The students scattered, and several — including Mr. Jones — scaled a chain-link fence.
On the other side, Mr. Jones ran into a utility pole and his head hit the utility box, Sgt. Carter said. He suffered severe head and neck injuries.
At his Bond Hill home, the family of Mr. Jones declined to comment Friday.
Principal Ellie Johnson plans to send letters home with students Monday, outlining strategies the school is using to help students cope with the tragedy. A crisis team also will work with grieving students.
Thursday was an exam day and there was no school Friday. Mon day is the start of the 1,000-student school's second semester.
“This is really an unusual tragedy,” Mr. Morgan said. “When kids gather someplace they shouldn't be and someone in authority approaches, they run. When they run, there's no telling what can happen. I'm not sure there's a whole lot you could do to prevent something like this, other than to encourage kids to stay put.”
There's no happy ending for MU story
Magnet school signup shows opposites attract
Man dies in custody after third arrest
Judge turns down delay of execution
Dog biscuits taken off bistro menu
Police dog included in estate's lawsuit
Valedictorian dream dashed
Bauer expected to announce presidential bid
City choosing a chief its own way
Who will be chief?
Councilman wants to restrict laser pointers
Franklin's confession frees man
North Bend survival subject of whispers
Police: Student's death probably accidental
Trash can mom seeking lower bond
Year's worth of weather
Break-in at furniture store costly for deer
Domestic violence, sex assault information available by phone
Mill Creek plan called key to create asset, stop decline
Public hearing set on possible lawsuit against gun makers
Teacher charged with hitting student
Another mall idea: Buy, raze
Embattled chief mulls departure
Fairfield man guilty of corrupting teen girls
How to help Colombian earthquake victims
Mental state issue in Roselawn stabbings case
Patton planning strong campaign
Students come to aid of others after fire
Suspect resists return from Texas
TRISTATE DIGEST
