Rain, speed blamed in teen's fatal wreck

LEMON TOWNSHIP - Police blamed rain-soaked roads and excessive speed in a collision that killed a 19-year-old Middletown man Wednesday afternoon.

Jon Gary was pronounced dead at the scene about 2 p.m. at Ohio 4 near Ohio 73, said Andy Willis, investigator for the Butler County Coroner's Office. Gary, who was not wearing a seat belt, is at least the 15th Greater Cincinnati teen to die in a traffic crash since February.

Witnesses said they saw Gary's 1995 Oldsmobile Cutlass traveling at a high rate of speed, but no speed estimate was available, authorities said.

Monroe police say Gary lost control of his car. It slid sideways and crossed a concrete median strip into the path of a flatbed truck owned by Beamer Brothers Trucking of Cincinnati.

The truck hit the car's passenger side; the truck's driver, Wayne Riley, 45, of Goshen Township, was uninjured. He was wearing a seat belt.

Gary's family told investigators that he was a student at Cincinnati Art Institute and apparently was on his way home from classes.

Man gets 18 years-life in teacher's slaying

One of two men accused of killing a former Cincinnati Public Schools substitute teacher last year pleaded guilty to murder Wednesday.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas Crush sentenced Lorens Harvey, 19, to 18 years to life in prison.

Harvey and Willard Johnson, 20, whose addresses were unknown, were charged with shooting Major Wright with separate handguns on May 18, 2003, at the 55-year-old victim's Westwood home.

Johnson, facing charges of murder and aggravated murder, remains jailed in Hamilton County and is scheduled to appear before Crush today.

Man stuck in gravel pit convicted over incident

A 28-year-old Springfield Township man who got stuck in a gravel pit after an argument with his wife was convicted Wednesday of criminal trespassing and inducing panic.

Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Julia Stautberg convicted Vincent Gambill. He will be sentenced June 29.

It took 50 rescuers from five fire departments to pull Vincent Gambill out of the quicksand-like pit near Suspension Bridge Road April 8. Gambill argued with his wife and got out of the car to take a walk when he wandered into the pit. Gambill suffered hypothermia and bruises.

Judge issues gag order in suit on attack

An Indian Hill School Board member cannot talk about a civil case pending against him, a Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge ordered Wednesday.

Judge Robert Ruehlman also said until the case is resolved, Lance White cannot move any assets belonging to his son, Benjamin White.

Last summer, Benjamin, an Indian Hill High School senior, attacked 13-year-old Casey Hilmer as she jogged along Given Road, stabbing her four times in the face, neck and side, seriously injuring her.

Casey's parents are suing Lance and Diane White, saying they knew their son was dangerous and should have controlled him.

As part of the suit, the Hilmers asked Ruehlman for a court order that would prevent Lance White from using his influence over people in the school community who have been subpoenaed. The Hilmers fear Lance White would try to hide Benjamin White's past misconduct.

Divers continue hunt for victim in lake

HILLSBORO - Divers continued Wednesday to search the east end of Rocky Fork Lake for a Carlisle man who disappeared while swimming Monday.

Danny Yeary, 26, was one of several adults who were swimming from a boat at Rocky Fork Lake near the Rocky Fort Lake State Park Restaurant.

Deputies were called to the lake about 3:11 p.m. Monday on a report that several people were in distress on a boat. Occupants of the boat told deputies Yeary had left the boat to go swimming, went under the water and never came back up.

Yeary was not wearing a life jacket at the time. It was unclear if he knew how to swim.

Divers from several counties used underwater sonar and camera equipment Monday and Tuesday.