Community concern escalates in Batavia Township following a deadly three-vehicle crash that killed a Blanchester woman and injured several others at a notorious intersection. The collision brought renewed scrutiny to the safety of the intersection at State Route 32 and Herold Road, which has witnessed more than 2,000 crashes since 2019 and 178 so far in 2024, including one with fatal outcomes and four involving severe injuries, according to WCPO.
In an interview obtained by WCPO, a resident of Batavia for over six decades described the intersection as dangerous, pointing out the challenges drivers face when "pulling out in front of people, thinking they’re gonna be able to stop in time." Likewise, State Route 32 is now only second to another spot in Clermont County for the number of car mishaps recorded, raising serious concerns about the prevalent traffic risks in the area.
The incident on Tuesday involved multiple vehicles and was reported by Wilmington News Journal. Robert Sherman of Mount Orab, facing charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and DUI, collided with another vehicle driven by Jenny Stahl and subsequently struck a third car. The crash resulted in the tragic death of a passenger, Tassie Sherman, and serious injuries to Denise Harris, among others sustaining less severe injuries.
Local authorities and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) are keen to discuss potential improvements or the closure of the Herold Road junction. As reported by Local12 News, Batavia's Zoning Director Chip Stewart signaled the need for urgent action, highlighting that "There's no traffic control on Herold whatsoever right now. People get confused when they try to turn left." Past interventions, such as redesigning the nearby Bauer Road and SR 32 intersection, suggest possible solutions featuring traffic control measures that may be on the table.
Leaders from the village, Batavia Township, and ODOT echoed the urgency of action. They are set to meet later this week to deliberate on solutions for this problem area. As Local12 News noted, the discussions may include closing or redesigning to align with the more controlled traffic setup found at the Bauer Road and SR 32 intersection, which has reduced crashes since its reconfiguration. Community members anticipate these measures, hoping for a solution to drastically lower the odds of such tragic incidents reoccurring at this dangerous crossroads.
