Avon police car crashes into utility truck; Highway Patrol investigating

AVON — A police car crashed into a utility truck early Thursday and the circumstances of the accident are being investigated by the Ohio Highway Patrol.

Avon police Officer Andy Kehl crashed into the truck in which an unnamed worker was working in an elevated bucket on some phone or cable lines in the 2800 block of state Route 83 about 2:40 a.m.

Avon Fire Chief Frank Root said Kehl and the worker both were transported to area hospitals for evaluation as a precautionary measure. Root said the police car had moderate damage and was towed.

“Both were up and walking when we arrived,” Root said. “The worker wasn’t thrown from the truck or anything, but (the officer and worker) were both taken in for evaluation, although there were no obvious injuries.”

Avon police said Kehl radioed the station asking for a supervisor to come to the location because he had been involved in an accident.

Investigation of the accident was turned over to the Ohio Highway Patrol since it involved an Avon police car rear-ending a work truck.

Patrol Lt. Carlos Smith said troopers are working with Avon police to obtain dash camera footage so they can examine the events leading up to the crash.

Smith added that the patrol wants to look at all aspects of the crash, and it’s not clear whether the worker had proper lighting or signage on display while he was working along the road. Reports of the incident were not available, and it is not clear what company the worker is employed by.

State Route 83 was closed for around two hours while the crash scene was investigated, police said, and alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.

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