UPDATE: I-71 Reopens After Fatal Crash; Police Provide New Information

Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 6:28 AM

A multiple-vehicle crash on Interstate 71 in southern Boone County claimed a man's life and left a woman with life-threatening injuries. Photo by WLWT-TV. Update published at 5:06 p.m.: After a closure that lasted several hours, both directions of Interstate 71 at a fatal crash scene are open. The wreck happened around 9:30 a.m. just north of the Verona exit. Boone County Sheriff's Office investigators say a 2009 Peterbilt semi driven by Christopher Thornhill, 33, of Rossburg, Ohio, was heading northbound on the interstate when it clipped an occupied car that was stopped on or near the left lane. Thornhill's semi then went across the median and overturned in the southbound lanes, with the trailer extended across both lanes. Two southbound vehicles - a crossover SUV and a pickup truck - then struck the trailer. Police say a 45-year-old man from Lexington in the pickup was killed in the crash. The victim's name has not been released pending notification of family. The SUV driver identified as Sandra Edwards, 64, of Cincinnati, suffered life-threatening injuries. She was taken to UC Medical Center by medical helicopter. Thornhill's injuries were minor. The sheriff's office said the trailer on the semi he was driving was empty. Police said that all people involved in the crash were wearing seatbelts and airbags had deployed in the SUV and pickup truck. Update published at 11:00 a.m.: The Boone County Sheriff's Office says the northbound lanes of I-71 are open following the accident near the 73 mile marker at Verona. Southbound lanes remain closed. One person was killed in the crash, according to various reports. Interstate 71 has been closed due to an accident between the Verona exit and I-75 Thursday morning. Photo by OhGo.com. Original story published at 10:10 a.m.: (Verona, Ky.) - A fatal accident has forced police to close Interstate 71 near Verona. The accident involving a semi truck and at least one other vehicle occurred just after 9:30 a.m. at the 73 mile marker, just north of the Verona exit. The semi reportedly went across the median where it collided with another vehicle. Aircare has been sent to the crash scene. The Boone County Sheriff's Office says deputies have shut down I-71 in both directions. No traffic is being allowed to exit onto I-71 southbound from I-75. Listen to Eagle 99.3 or follow us on Twitter, @eagle993, for updates.

Events

Genealogy Roundtable: Searching the Web and Beyond!
Searching the Web and Beyond! Master the art of targeted searching to pinpoint records, navigate name variations, and eliminate clutter.
Apr 4, 2026
Al-Anon Meeting
Help for Friends and Family of a problem drinker. You know what it is doing to them, do you know what it is doing to you?
Apr 5, 2026 at Hamline Chapel United Methodist Church
Yo-Chi
Join a video-led class that will focus 30 minutes of Yoga, followed by 25 minutes of beginner's Tai-Chi.
Apr 6, 2026