Springfield Township officer, 50-year-old man killed in crash

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - A Springfield Township officer and another driver died early Friday in a North College Hill crash.

Officer Tim Unwin was responding to an “officer needs assistance” call when the crash occurred around 12 a.m. on Hamilton Avenue at Centerridge Avenue, according to Springfield Township Chief of Police Rick Bley.

The other driver killed was identified as 50-year-old William Dunson.

Officer Unwin, 31, is the first Springfield Township police officer to die in the line of duty.

“This is an extremely emotional and sad day for the family and friends of the two men who died, as well as for the entire Springfield Township Police Department and for our community as a whole,” Chief Bley said.

Officer Unwin was a law enforcement officer for about four years.

He served two years with the city of Hamilton before joining Springfield Township police, the chief said.

A procession carrying Officer Unwin’s body arrived at Spring Grove Cemetery early Friday evening.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the crash investigation, an agency spokeswoman said.

“We don’t anticipate having [the investigation] wrapped up until late next week at the earliest,” Kyla Woods said. “All additional media updates will come from Springfield Township Police Department. We appreciate any patience you can allow them as they move forward with public information.”

Several law enforcement agencies, including his former department in Hamilton, offered their condolences to Officer Unwin’s family and the Springfield Township Police Department.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost also issued a statement on Officer Unwin’s death.

Hamilton County flags will be flown at half-staff in support of the entire Springfield Township Police Department as they mourn during this tragic time, county commissioners announced Friday.

Officer Unwin graduated from Harrison High School in 2009 and from Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in 2014.

He completed the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy two years later.

Unwin also previously worked as a corrections officer with the sheriff’s office.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.

Copyright 2023 WXIX. All rights reserved.