COVINGTON, Ky. — A 23-year-old woman is charged with murder following a wrong-way crash on I-75 North Sunday morning.
Covington Police Chief Brian Valenti said officers responded to the crash near the Kyles Lane exit at around 7:10 a.m.
Police said there were two cars involved in the wreck and they believe one of those vehicles was traveling the wrong way on the interstate. The car traveling in the wrong direction crashed head-on with another vehicle, killing 83-year-old Martha Arlinghaus, who was traveling in the correct direction, police said.
Arlinghaus was a teacher at Villa Madonna Academy Elementary School. The school said she retired in 2002 and continued to work as a substitute teacher.
"She was a pioneer in the Oblate program of the Benedictine Sisters of St. Walburg Monastery, being a part of the first group in 1986," the school said. "At the monastery she was known as the Candy Lady, always making sure that the Sisters candy jar was filled. She was a frequent volunteer and friend to all at Villa Madonna Academy and St. Walburg Monastery. Our prayers are with Martha’s family and friends as they mourn her tragic death. May the good Lord whom she served so well, surround her in His loving embrace."
TRAFFIC Alert: Crash I-71/75 North MM 189.8 / north of Kyles Lane in Kenton County. ALL LANES BLOCKED. pic.twitter.com/Fjy0OE7eZS
— TRIMARC (@TRIMARCTraffic) October 23, 2022
There were two people in the car traveling the wrong way, and they were both taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to police.
Kearies Simpson, 23, was charged with murder, seven counts of wanton endangerment and criminal mischief in connection to the crash. She is in the Hamilton County Detention Center.
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