2 die, 1 hurt after car strikes parked semi

        ERLANGER — A driver and his adult male passenger died early Saturday morning and another passenger was transported to St. Elizabeth Medical Center South, Edgewood, after the driver veered off Interstate 75, near the Interstate 275 intersection, and struck a semi-tractor trailer resting on the side of the highway.

        Police are not identifying the deceased, who were pronounced dead at the scene, nor identifying their injured companion until relatives have been notified, said Sgt. Scott Abney of the Erlanger Police Department.

        Sgt. Abney did not say why the car veered off the roadway shortly after 3 a.m. The truck driver was not injured. A condition for the other injured passenger has not been released.

        Meanwhile, near Brookville, Ind., a car smashed into a guardrail and rolled down an embankment along Interstate 74 shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday. Dana Harbin, 30, of Colerain Township, and his passenger James Hayes, 25, of Cincinnati, were transported to University Hospital.

        Mr. Harbin is listed in fair condition, and Mr. Hayes, who remains on a ventilator, is in serious condition.

        Mr. Harbin had been driving east when he rear-ended a vehicle being driven by Lisa Skomac of LaPorte, Ind., lost control of the car and crashed into the guardrail. Ms. Skomac was not injured.

Avondale man shot to death leaving club

        An Avondale man was shot to death early Saturday morning while leaving a nightclub in the West End.

        Cincinnati Police are searching for two male blacks for questioning in the shooting death of Samuel McDaniels, 25. The pair were last seen driving away from the intersection of Baymiller Street and Central Avenue. They were driving either a dark Buick Electra or Chrysler New Yorker, police said.

        Mr. McDaniels was shot in the chest about 1:40 a.m. He was transported to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

        If you want to leave an anonymous tip, call Cincinnati Police, 352-3542, or Crime Stoppers, 352-3040.

Arrests close book on burglary, theft spree

        Cincinnati Police arrested Tajuan Pope, 19, of Northside and five juveniles last week, allowing them to close a rash of recent burglary, robbery and breaking-and-entering investigations.

        A warrant has been signed for the arrest of another juvenile, and police are working to identify an additional suspect they believe helped commit the crime spree, which ran from May 8 to July 14.

        Mr. Pope and the group of juveniles — boys and girls ages 14-17 — allegedly robbed two cab drivers July 14. They are also being questioned in the robberies of a 14-year-old boy and a 38-year-old man May 29 and burglaries of at least three homes.

        The arrests came after the group committed six crimes in a three-day period this month. Mr. Pope faces a charge of receiving stolen property. Specific charges weren't available for the others.

Family recovering after train-car wreck

        NEWTON — A Springdale mother and her two children were recovering Saturday from injuries suffered Friday in a car-train collision.

        Mary Kay Apke's 11-year-old son was released from University Hospital while Ms. Apke and her 8-year-old daughter were in fair condition Saturday evening.

        The three were taken to University Hospital after an eastbound Norfolk & Southern train hit their minivan on Debolt Street, near the Ohio 32 intersection.

Motorcyclist dies after striking divider

        COLERAIN TOWNSHIP — A motorcyclist was killed after his bike crashed on I-74 Saturday.

        The 27-year-old male was traveling eastbound when his bike crashed on the curve near the Montana Avenue exit near I-75. The 4:30 p.m. accident caused traffic to come to a standstill.

        “From what we heard from witnesses, he lost control and hit the center, concrete wall,” said Cincinnati firefighter Lt. Tim Pride.

        The man, whom police did not identify, died at University Hospital at 5:15 p.m. The man suffered from head injuries.

Traficant colleague appeals for election

        COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of ousted U.S. Rep. James Traficant's former congressional colleagues is asking Gov. Bob Taft to change his mind about a special election to fill the balance of Mr. Traficant's unexpired term.

        In a letter to Gov. Taft Friday, Toledo Democrat Marcy Kaptur told the governor he ignored the U.S. Constitution by deciding against such an election.

        Mr. Traficant, a Democrat from Youngstown, was expelled Wednesday from the House and is to be sentenced Tuesday in Cleveland on federal bribery and corruption charges.

        Gov. Taft said a special election to replace Mr. Traficant would be too costly and confusing. The estimated price tag for special primary and general elections would be $800,000.

        Ms. Kaptur said the Constitution requires the governor to issue a writ of election to fill a vacancy in Congress.

— Compiled from staff and wire reports

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