Newly-installed beacon crosswalk signal damaged after car crash, driver charged

Signal beacon that stood near Highlands Middle School lies on the ground after a motorist knocked it over Friday night.

 By Robin Gee, City Council Beat Editor

Less than two months after installation was complete, a motorist, who has been charged with driving under the influence, knocked over the beacon signaling device located on Memorial Parkway near Highlands Middle School.

On Friday, September 20, the driver slammed into the newly erected beacon at about 11:15 p.m. The beacon was recovered by city crews and taken back to the city building to determine if it can be repaired and redeployed.

Samuel P. Reynolds, 18 from Fort Thomas, has been charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd degree, failure to produce an insurance card and a communication device violation. He was taken to the Campbell County Detention Center early Saturday morning.

The beacon was one of the four crosswalk safety devices installed by the city through its citywide Pedestrian Safety Initiative. Other safety devices have been installed at Moyer Elementary, St. Thomas School and Highlands High School.

The school crosswalk beacons are part of a citywide Pedestrian Safety Initiative.