COLERAIN TWP., Hamilton County — The driver who fatally struck Colerain Twp. police officer Dale Woods last month will not face criminal charges, our partners at WCPO report.
Last week, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said he didn't believe his office could successfully prosecute the driver due to lack of evidence of impairment or excessive speed.
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While working a crash scene, Woods was hit by the driver's pickup truck and died five days later at University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Authorities recreated the scene and drove a truck similar to the one that hit Woods, and used a fire engine to simulate the misty rain of that night. Deters said Cincinnati police were incredibly thorough with their investigation and spent a lot of time on the case, WCPO reports.
Deters said there is no evidence of negligence, and believes the driver may have been distracted by the crash scene. Woods was wearing a reflective vest at the time, but Deters said "it's possible that Dale stepped back and got hit."
The driver released a statement through an attorney offering condolences to Woods' family, coworkers and Colerain residents.
"I do not have the words to express how sorry and sad I am that this tragic accident cost the life of officer Dale Woods," he said. "I hope that God will help and bless his family to heal. I cannot imagine the pain they are going through during this grieving process," WCPO reports.
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Colerain Police Chief Mark Denney said he has appointed officers to a committee to look into possible changes in equipment or best practices.
Authorities have a one-year statute of limitations to file charges if new information surfaces.
"If there was evidence of impairment, if there was evidence of negligence, he would be prosecuted," Deters told WCPO.
