The preliminary investigation of the fatal crash that killed Kayla Duerler indicates the Harrison teen pulled in front of machinery operated by Joshua Allen, 36, a Butler County Engineer’s Office employee, according to the sheriff’s office.
Duerler died of traumatic injuries when the car collided at about 12:12 p.m. Aug. 8 with a large orange Gradeall truck near the intersection of Bunker Hill Woods Road in Reily Twp., according to the coroner’s office.
In an emotional 911 call, Allen talks to Duerler after learning her name.
“Kayla, you hang in there honey, for the love of God you hang in there honey, you keep fighting. There’s a lot to live for honey. You have family that loves you and God loves you … don’t you dare give up,” Allen is heard telling the teen during the 911 call. “Kayla there is so much to fight for.”
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There is sobbing and screaming at the beginning of the call before the 911 dispatcher is able to calm Allen down enough to get him to say where he is and what happened.
“Send Aircare. These people need Aircare. I am driving a heavy piece of equipment. I could not stop,” he tells the 911 dispatcher before breaking down again and sobbing. “I couldn’t stop.”
Two others were injured in the crash. One person was transported by medical helicopter to an area hospital.
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