CINCINNATI — Four people have been charged in connection to the fire that shut down the I-471 bridge, known as the Daniel Carter Beard "Big Mac" Bridge between Ohio and Kentucky, earlier last month.
The charges are as follows, according to court documents:
- James Hamilton: Two felony charges of obstruction
- Kaitlen Hall: Two felony charges of obstruction of justice
- Terry Stiles: One count of aggravated arson
- Zachary Stumpf: One count of aggravated arson
The fire broke out early on Nov. 1, damaging both the southbound lanes of the bridge and the playground underneath, known as Sawyer Point Park. That day, all lanes were closed until the afternoon when the northbound lanes reopened. Nobody was injured in the fire, authorities said.
The southbound lanes remain closed, as the Ohio Department of Transportation said it needs to repair a 70-foot section of the I-471 northbound wall after demolition. That's expected to begin sometime this month, according to ODOT.
Damaged girders will also need to be replaced, in which all steel components are expected to arrive by mid-January, ODOT said.
The investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.