Teen Driver Killed in Early Morning Head-On Collision
WAYNE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX) - The Butler County Coroner’s Office has identified the 16-year-old student who died in a head-on crash on Thursday morning.
The teen was identified as Wyatt Sidney Duckworth, of Middletown, according to Butler County Coroner Dr. Lisa Mannix.
The crash happened on West Elkton Road at 6:30 a.m.
Duckworth was driving a 2005 Pontiac with his 13-year-old sister in the passenger seat when the vehicle traveled left of center, striking a 2013 Chevrolet Suburban SUV, the sheriff’s office said.
The SUV was being driven by a 60-year-old man, who was later identified as Kevin Johnson, a social studies teacher for Edgewood City Schools, according to Superintendent Kelly Spivey.
“The driver, the 16-year-old male, and the 13-year-old female were leaving their mother’s house in the city of Hamilton, headed to their father’s house to get ready for school,” explained Sgt. Steve Poff with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.
As a result of the crash, Duckworth was pronounced dead at the scene, and his sister was flown by CareFlight medical helicopter to Dayton Children’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Johnson was flown by CareFlight to Miami Valley Hospital with life-threatening injuries as well.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
According to a letter from Preble Shawnee Local Schools Superintendent Todd Bowling, the 16-year-old was an 11th grader in the school district. His younger sister is also a student.
“Throughout the rest of today and Friday, October 18th, we will have counselors and support staff available for any student who wishes to talk or needs help processing this tragedy,” Bowling’s letter to families said. “We will not be making a formal announcement to the entire student body, but we will be providing support as needed.”
