Driver securing load killed along I-275

HEBRON - A man was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer rig beside Interstate 275 Tuesday at about 12:10 p.m., just west of North Bend Road.

James Amann, 80, of Villa Hills, was securing a load in the bed of his pickup truck on the right shoulder when he was hit by the semi and dragged about 150 feet, according to emergency workers. The highway was shut down for about 20 minutes in both directions as Air Care arrived. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi, Louis Hammond, 42, of Lawrenceburg, Ind., was not injured.

The Boone County Sheriff's Department Accident Reconstruction Team is investigating the accident and will decide if criminal charges will be filed.

Man gets 15 years in robbery, slaying

COVINGTON - A Northern Kentucky man was sentenced to 15 years after admitting he had robbed and killed a Cincinnati man who had came to his home.

Matthew Smith, 27, of Covington must testify against his uncle, Thomas Toll Jr., as part of the plea agreement.

Police said Smith and Toll robbed and killed Jason Bourrage, 22, of Cincinnati on Jan. 30. Bourrage had come to Toll's apartment on West Eighth Street in Covington to "front" Toll some crack cocaine, according to police. While he was at the door, Smith jumped him. A struggle followed and Bourrage lost consciousness and died, police said.

Police said Smith and Toll then robbed Bourrage of the crack cocaine and dumped his body in Goebel Park.

Woman given 6 years in DUI death of friend

COVINGTON - A 23-year-old Ludlow woman was sentenced Monday to six years in prison for killing her best friend in a DUI wreck.

Tiana M. Hammons will be eligible for parole after serving 20 percent of her sentence.

Hammons was driving from a Crescent Springs bar in April 2003 when she wrecked a 1993 Chevrolet Cavalier in the 600 block of Bromley Crescent Springs Road. Her blood-alcohol level was 0.209, more than double the legal limit.

Amy Hunt, a passenger in her car, was killed in the wreck.