Car crashes into Butler County school as students prepared for dismissal

HAMILTON, Ohio (WXIX) - Ross Intermediate School will be closed Friday after a car crashed into the building Thursday, according to Ross Local School District Superintendent Chad Konkle.

Around 3 p.m., as students were preparing for dismissal, Konkle says a man was at the school to pick up his grandkids when his foot got stuck between the pedals, causing him to accelerate into the building.

Ross Township police say the driver realized his foot was caught on the gas pedal and made the decision to turn toward the building to avoid hitting the cars parked out front.

The room that was hit was empty and serves as the school’s therapy room, the superintendent added. No one was injured.

Konkle says protocols to evacuate students and teachers were followed.

“Just to be safe we got everybody out of the building,” Konkle said. “We shut off power, gas, electric, all that good stuff. We followed our safety protocol, and everybody is safe.”

The building inspector happened to be at the school, and he took a look at the damage. He gave them the all-clear to board up the room until they can get a permanent fix.

“We’ll go through our safety procedures, but there was not any structural damage to the building,” Konkle said.

Konkle says they plan to have Ross Intermediate School open on Monday, and counselors will be available for students if needed.

Ross Township Police say the driver of the SUV was issued a citation for reckless operation.

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