Franklin County, IN-On Monday, December 30th, shortly after 2:00 pm, a 15-year-old Ohio boy was killed and four other teens were seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash in rural Franklin County, Indiana.
The initial crash investigation by Trooper Chad Snyder, Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, indicated that a 2000 red Pontiac passenger car, being driven by Zachary Ferneding, age 18, Hamilton County, Ohio was traveling eastbound on Oxford Pike at Dorrel Road in Franklin County. Ferneding lost control of the vehicle which left the north side of the roadway. The vehicle rolled, ejecting Ferneding from the vehicle. The vehicle rolled into trees, coming to rest in an inverted position.
Ferneding was airlifted to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center with serious injuries. A passenger in Ferneding’s vehicle, Bryce L. Hizer, age 15, Hamilton County, Ohio sustained fatal injuries in the collision. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Franklin County Coroner’s Office. Three more passengers, Vivian Hilbert, age 16, Zachary C. Dockery, age 16, and Tyler D. Heatherly, age 15, all from Hamilton County, Ohio sustained serious injuries and were transported to Cincinnati area hospitals for treatment.
Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors at this time however, toxicology results are pending.
The investigation is ongoing by Trp. Chad Snyder with the assistance of Trp. Matthew Holley, Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team.
The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Brookville Police Department, Franklin County EMS, Morgan Twp. Ohio EMS, Brookville Fire Department, Drewersburg Fire Department, and the Franklin County Coroner’s Office.
The families of the victims have been notified.
