Hundreds of accidents reported in I-75 area, killing 4-year-old

CRESCENT SPRINGS, Kentucky – A fatal crash Sunday evening at the corner of I-75 and Buttermilk Pike highlighted a stretch of interstate that has seen a high number of crashes since 2022.

Kenton County police said a 4-year-old girl was killed and her father was injured when the 30-year-old crashed into the back of a box truck that had broken down at the end of the merge lane from the Buttermilk Pike on-ramp.

RELATED | 4-year-old dead, 1 man injured after crash on I-75 SB near Buttermilk Pike in NKY

WCPO reviewed Kentucky State Police accident data in the area using an accident scene dashboard and found hundreds of crashes.

In 2022, the dashboard reports 145 accidents on roads inside and outside the motorways, of which 15 resulted in injuries and 130 property damage.

Data about the Kentucky State Police

The total number of accidents in 2023 in the same area rose to 168, with 11 injuries and 157 with property damage.

Data about the Kentucky State Police

There have been 56 accidents so far in 2024, not including Sunday’s fatal accident.

Data about the Kentucky State Police

Michael Ritchie has lived in the area for four decades and said he’s seen it all while driving down I-75.

“Honestly, I try to avoid the freeway as much as possible,” Ritchie said. “I take detours through Bromley, through Crescent Springs, 42, Hopeful. I do everything I can to avoid the freeways.”

Ritchie urged drivers to do everything possible to keep their attention on the road, as he, as a contractor and lawn care worker, is constantly causing other drivers to become distracted.

“He’s not paying attention,” he said, pointing to a car turning onto the highway. “Or he has a passenger that he’s playing with, talking to, they’re playing music. They’re having fun. They’re partying instead of paying attention to the road.”

Kenton County Police are investigating the cause of Sunday’s crash. Anyone who witnessed it is asked to contact Sergeant Charles Duncan at 859-392-1993.