Cincinnati fire and police personnel responded shortly before 4 p.m. to a crash on Jefferson Avenue. When they arrived, the Cincinnati Fire Department said they found two women in the middle of the street. Both were taken to a local hospital.
Cayden Turner, 18, of Moraine, was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Turner, a member of CJ’s Class of 2022, was involved in a variety of activities while a student, said Tina Wagoner, director of marketing and communications. Turner also received an Ohio High School Athletic Association Courageous Student Award, according to the high school’s website.
Counselors and prayer time was offered at the school throughout the day, and the school held a prayer service, Wagoner said.
The other 18-year-old stuck suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized.
“I want to share our deepest condolences with the family of our student whose life was taken far too soon,” Pinto said. “For our injured student, our hopes remain focused on a full recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with both families and their loved ones.”
According to a press release from Cincinnati police, the students were crossing at a marked crosswalk when the driver sped through a red light before striking them, and then a tree.
UC student John Sikora said he heard the crash from a nearby residence hall and called 911.
“It was so loud — could hear it super clearly through my window,” Sikora said. “It sounded like metal on metal, like you’d hear in an ordinary car crash, but it wasn’t metal on metal, obviously.”
Sikora said he saw several good Samaritans rushing to the students’ aid before medics arrived.
Americus Land, another UC student, was walking home from class when an officer told her to turn around.
“That’s terrifying,” Land said. “I make this walk two to three times a week, both ways I cross the street three to four times. Not good. Not good.”
The vehicle involved was suspected to be stolen, according to CFD. One person inside the vehicle was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Three other people inside the vehicle, including the driver, ran away after the crash.
Jefferson Avenue was shut down in both directions between University Avenue and Daniels Street as the CPD Traffic Unit investigated the crash.
Any witnesses are asked to call the Cincinnati Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 513-352-2514.
Pinto encouraged anyone on campus affected by the news to seek out UC’s counseling and psychological services.
About the Author