FRANKLIN – Troopers from the Lebanon Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol are currently investigating a fatal crash involving a Franklin Police Department K-9. The crash occurred at approximately 10:40 a.m. on South River Street near W. 7″ Street in the city of Franklin, Warren County.
Two police officers with the Franklin Police Department along with their K-9 were on regular patrol traveling southwest on South River Street near W. 7 Street in a marked patrol car when a 2015 Jeep Patriot, operated by Michael T. Sims, 21, Nicholasville, KY, began traveling the wrong way on South River Street at a high rate of speed and struck the Franklin Police Department cruiser. The Jeep then travelled off the roadway and struck a tree before coming to final rest.
The Franklin Police Department K-9, Fury, was transported to MedVet where he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 11:37 a.m. The two Franklin Police Department officers received minor injuries as a result of the crash and were transported to Kettering Health Franklin.
Sims was transported to Atrium Hospital with minor injuries as a result of the crash. Once released by the hospital, Sims will be incarcerated at the Warren County Jail on criminal charges of felonious assault of a police officer and felonious assault of a police dog. Potential additional criminal charges will be forthcoming.
The crash remains under investigation.
