Detroit mans father killed, mother critically injured in I-75 crash

WEST CARROLLTON, Ohio (WDTN) - The son of a man who was killed and woman who was critically injured in a construction zone crash wants answers in the deadly accident.

The crash happened in West Carrollton on I-75 south near the Dixie Drive exit in the early morning hours of July 13.

Two cars within minutes of one another went over a barrier and into a pit in the middle of the road.

Charles Rice, 65, of Detroit was driving one of those cars and died as a result of his injuries.  Three other people were injured including one of Rices' passengers, Dorothy Dixon.

Rice and Dixon's son, Dion Rice, rushed to Dayton from Detroit after hearing about the devastating crash.

"I broke down and started crying as soon as I got the phone call," said Dion Rice.  "Its like a dream, rather a nightmare and I cannot wake up."

Dion said his parents and two cousins were on their way to a family reunion in Alabama when the crash happened.

Dion, 29, believes the accident could have been prevented had the construction zone had better signs.

"There was no concrete barrier blocking the space," said Dion.  "It was just a wide open ditch."

Dion's father wasn't the only one who made the mistake.  Minutes before his accident, another man drove his truck into the same ditch.  He only suffered minor injuries.

Ohio State Patrol has launched an investigation into the accident and whether ODOT properly marked the construction zone.

"Witnesses claimed there was a gap in the orange barrels that were blocking the closed lane," said Lt. Douglas Eck, who is a Dayton post commander with Ohio State Patrol.  "It does appear however the construction zone was properly marked."

Not well enough, according to Dion Rice.  Rice said his father knew the particular stretch of 75 well.  Charles Rice was from Alabama and Dion said his father frequently made the trip south from Detroit.

Charles Rice was a retired police officer in the city of Detroit.

"He was highly respected in the community as a police officer in Detroit" said Dion.  "He's been retired since 1991."

In addition, Dion said his father was heavily involved in the community and very much a family man.  During an interview with 2 News, Dion cracked his only smile when asked to describe his Dad.  

"He had a fun, live life kind of attitude," said Dion.  "He was all about his family."

Dion said his mother, Dorothy Dixon, suffered multiple broken bones, but is expected to survive as of Monday night.

According to Lt. Heck, officials should have their investigation into the crash completed in about a week.  

Dion said he is waiting on the results and hopes ODOT will be held accountable and better label the construction zone so this doesn't happen to another family.