Two communities across two different states are mourning the loss of a mother and daughter, killed after a fiery crash involving a tractor trailer and a car on I-275 near Cincinnati. 18-year-old Amanda Ludwig and 59-year-old Elaine Ludwig, both of Hebron, were killed in the Saturday crash on Interstate 275. Both of the women, from Cincinnati suffered fatal injuries when a semi-tractor trailer collided with their Pontiac Grand Prix in the westbound lanes of the Carroll C. Cropper Bridge. The Boone County (Kentucky) Sheriff's Office says the impact of the crash caused a fire that killed both women. The accident happened shortly before noon Saturday, not far from the Kentucky and Indiana border. A spokesman from the Boone County Sheriffs Office, says the Grand Prix was traveling westbound when it came to a stop on the bridge in the right lane. A semi-truck driver that was following behind was able to swerve left and avoid hitting their car. However, another semi-truck that was unable to stop, slammed into the rear of the Pontiac, causing it to erupt into flames. While the results of an investigation are ongoing, the victims families released a heart-wrenching statement, letting it be known their thoughts are with the truck driver involved in the accident.
"We don't yet know the results of the investigation, but whatever they may be, the individual driving the tractor-trailer must be suffering a great deal, and we hope that he is able to find some peace during this time.Its still not clear if the sheriffs office plans to file charges against truck driver Ronnie York. Authorities say the 63-year-old of Greenwood, Indiana was hauling general freight and reportedly did not suffer any injuries. The funeral is tentatively planned for Friday, March 13, according to the family. Services will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes in Westwood. Meantime, the Boone County traffic reconstruction unit continues its investigation into the accident. Federal highway officials were also called in to inspect the structural integrity of the bridge before reopening the westbound lanes. The Covington personal injury attorneys at O'Connor, Acciani & Levy send our deepest condolences to the Ludwig family during this difficult time.
