Mother of girl killed in winter weather crash shares message of safety
By WLWT staff
Click here for updates on this story
CINCINNATI (WLWT) — A powerful message about winter weather driving is coming from a mom who lost her daughter in a freak accident more than a decade ago.
In early December, whiteout conditions in western Indiana led to a massive pileup.
WLWT spoke with retired Cincinnati police Officer Eric Franz, who said his son was trapped in that terrifying wreck. When his son called him, he said he recalled that 2013 tragedy.
“We all remember that one young lady got out of her car and the cable hit her and killed her, and I didn’t want to see anything like that happen to my son or anybody else,” Franz said.
Franz is referring to the 2013 I-275 pileup in Colerain Township that killed 12-year-old Sammy Reagan.
Sammy’s mother watched our recent story with Franz, and she wanted the chance to talk with him now that they’re forever connected.
On Monday, the two were hopping on an emotional video call, sharing words of gratitude.
Jill Reagan thanked Franz for continuing to spread Sammy’s story and raise awareness about the dangers of winter road conditions, and Franz thanked Reagan for sharing her daughter’s story so bravely.
Reagan said the day Sammy was killed, she and her babysitter got out of the car they were in to climb over the cable barrier, but a semi hit it, breaking a cable loose and killing Sammy.
Jill said she’s been sharing the advice “stay in your car, stay safe” since January 2013, when she lost her little girl.
Now, she’s thankful it helped save a life.
“I was really happy that she was remembered in such a trying moment for them,” Reagan said. “And I feel like because of her accident, somebody else was saved.”
Reagan said she wants others to think of Sammy and share her story this winter. The day she was killed, the whiteout hit in under 60 seconds.
It’s an important reminder to be prepared for any conditions this time of year.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.