Troy man dead, possibly electrocuted, after crashing into utility poles in Miami County

ajc.com

A Troy man died and was possibly electrocuted after crashing into two utility poles on Kessler-Frederick Road outside West Milton in Miami County.

Christopher Butler, 38, was driving north in the 6000 block around 7:40 a.m. when the vehicle slid off the side of the road and hit a utility pole, Sheriff Dave Duchak said.

The vehicle “bounced” and hit a second utility pole, which snapped in half, bringing down power lines.

Butler survived the crash, but was believed to be electrocuted by a live power line after he got out of the vehicle, Duchak said.

A West Milton police officer responding to the crash performed CPR on Butler. He was transported to Miami Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The crash is the second fatality reported in Miami County on New Year’s Day morning.

Another man was killed near South Range Line Road and state Route 55 in Union Twp. after losing control of a truck and hitting a guardrail.

Duchak said the crashes were a “tragic” way to start the new year and that the sheriff’s office’s sympathies go out to the victims’ families.

Weather is believed to be the main factor behind both crashes, the sheriff said.

A Winter Weather Advisory was in effect for Miami County at the time of both crashes. Duchak said there was a slight freezing drizzle when the crashes occurred, causing black ice to form on roads.

We will continue to update this story as more information is released.

About the Author