Child fatality in automobile accident

by Andrew Roman
THE POST

Police still are investigating the death of a 3-year-old girl who died Sunday.

Cheyanna Douglas, 9747 New England Road, was pronounced dead on the scene after a truck driving south on New England Road hit her at about 6 p.m., according to an Ohio State Highway Patrol report.

Douglas was part of a group of children walking on the street before the incident, said Lt. Mike Hunter, the commander of the Athens OSHP Post. New England Road is between Amesville and Stewart.

As Kenneth Bowers, 44, approached in his 1995 Ford F-150, all the children, except Douglas, left the center of the road and lined the shoulders.

Hunter said he is unsure how or why the toddler remained in the road as the truck advanced.

Police were still at the scene more than three hours later, continuing their investigation, Hunter said. They found minor damage on the front left of the truck.

Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Services responded to the incident.

Police still are investigating Douglas’ cause of death, according to the OSHP report. So far, officers have determined that alcohol probably was not involved.

Hunter said neither Bowers, of Athens, nor anyone else has been charged with any offenses as of yesterday afternoon.

George Douglas Jr. and Lisa Douglas, Cheyanna’s parents, could not be contacted because they have an unlisted phone number.

Her body was taken to Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home, 168 Morris Ave., in Athens, said Jack Moquin, an owner. Friends may call today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The funeral is at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.