By Sharon Turco
and William A. Weathers
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A 22-year-old Evanston woman and her 2-year-old daughter were killed Monday morning when the car in which they were riding veered over the center line on Columbia Parkway in Columbia-Tusculum, hit another car and was then struck broadside by a second oncoming car.

The victims in the 11:10 a.m. crash, who were passengers in a 1993 Nissan Maxima, were LaJoi Richardson, and her daughter, Jagara Brown, both of Kinney Avenue. The mother was pronounced dead at the scene by Cincinnati firefighters, and her daughter was taken to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Police said Gary Brown, 20, of Blair Avenue, Avondale, was operating the Nissan Maxima west in the 2800 block of Columbia Parkway when he apparently lost control and crossed into the eastbound lanes. The Nissan struck a 1999 Volvo, went into a spin, and then collided broadside with a second vehicle - a 1990 Honda Accord.

The Accord slammed into the passenger side of the Maxima, where the woman was sitting, Officer Steve Edwards said.

The driver of the Honda Accord, Nicholas Gabbard, 24, Fort Mitchell, Ky. was taken to University Hospital, where he was in fair condition Monday night. The driver of the Volvo, Carol Lander, 43, Covington, was treated at University Hospital and released. Four other vehicles crashed when drivers lost control while trying to avoid the accident, Officer Edwards said. None of the people in those cars suffered serious injuries, police said.

Road conditions were wet at the time of the accident as a mix of rain and snow fell, Officer Edwards said.

E-mail sturco@enquirer.com and bweathers@enquirer.com