Eighty-six vehicles were involved in a pile-up crash on Interstate 275 near Colerain Avenue in Hamilton County the morning of Monday, January 21. Cincinnati Enquirer

(Hamilton County, Oh.) – An investigation into a deadly 90-vehicle pile-up on Interstate 275 in Hamilton County last month has determined that fault cannot be placed on any one person.

The report – spanning more than 200 pages – by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office says that white-out snow conditions were the major factor in the crash on January 21 near the 36 mile marker in Colerain Township.

“Fault cannot be placed on one or several individuals, due to the conditions (that) were created by the inclement weather conditions,” the report read.

Compounding the problem were slick road conditions. The report says several drivers attempted to take evasive action by slowing their speed, but their vehicles slid out of control.

Twelve-year-old Sammy Raegan, of Kings Mills, Ohio, died after getting out of a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero at the crash scene. She, family, and friends were riding to Perfect North Slopes when they were involved in the pile-up.

The report laid out the details that led to Raegan’s death.

The driver of the Mitsubishi, Samantha Braeuer, was attempting to get the children in her vehicle to the interstate median behind the cable barrier.

“Braeuer stated she felt having the children on the inside of the median barrier cables was more secure than being inside the vehicle,” the report stated.

As Sammy was climbing through the cable barrier, more vehicles began to strike the cables. Already at high tension, the cable then struck Raegan in the head. She would be pronounced dead at the scene.

In all, 20 people were injured in the smash-up.

Earlier reports fluctuated on the number of vehicles which had been involved in the pile-up. The final report states that there were 90: 72 cars, trucks, and SUVs and 18 semi trucks.

LINKS:

Police ID Victim, 12, In Huge I-275 Pile-Up

I-275 Pile-up Kills One, Injures 20 Others