Local News

No Charges In Death Of Colerain Officer Dale Woods

91.7 WVXU | By Tana Weingartner

Published February 15, 2019 at 2:37 PM EST

Officer Dale Woods died Jan. 7 after being struck by a pickup truck while on duty Jan. 4.

No criminal charges are being filed against the driver accused of hitting and killing a Colerain police officer last month. Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters says the incident was a "terrible tragedy" but not a criminal act.

An investigation finds there's no evidence of impairment or speed. Investigators recreated the incident during the investigation.

Investigators recreated the incident scene and say Officer Woods would have been difficult to see in the pouring rain. In this recreation from the truck's point of view, an officer is seen wearing a reflective vest. It's the small green/yellow orb at the center of the picture.

Colerain Police Chief Mark Denney says the investigation by the Cincinnati Police Department was thorough and honored Officer Woods. He says the Woods family accepts the findings and agree with the decision not to file charges.

The name of the driver who struck Woods is not being named. However, he did release a statement Friday afternoon expressing sorrow about what happened and for the Woods family.

"I pray for Officer Dale Woods' family every day so that they can find peace," he writes. "I want his family to know that I share their pain as well. I did not know Officer Woods, but from what I have heard and read, he was a hero, and I hope his kids can grow to be as strong as he was."

You can read the full statement below.

Officer Dale Woods died Jan. 7 after being struck by a pickup truckwhile on duty Jan. 4. He was guarding a crash scene, waiting on crews to arrive and repair a utility pole.

Duringfuneral services last month, Colerain Chief Mark Denney told Woods' children their father was a hero.

"Being a hero doesn't require that you die in a fiery explosion or that you have some innate skill for carrying a football or a tune," Denney assured them, "but it does require you be willing to give everything, including your life, for a purpose bigger than yourself, and if that doesn't describe your dad, I don't know what does."

Colerain Chief Mark Denney (left) says he's satisfied with the decision not to charge the driver who struck and killed Officer Dale Woods.

Denney says the outpouring of support from the community has been helpful to his department and the Woods family.

The chief says a 6-member committee has been created to review everything that happened to see if there are suggestions that "may save officers lives in the future." He says they want to learn from the incident.

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