CINCINNATI — The four people charged in connection to the fire that shut down the I-471 bridge between Ohio and Kentucky in November were indicted Friday with new charges against them, according to court documents.
Terry Stiles and Zachary Stumpf were indicted on additional charges including:
- Stiles: three counts of aggravated arson, one count arson
- Stumpf: three counts of aggravated arson, one count arson
Stiles and Stumpf were originally only charged with one count of aggravated arson each. Alongside them, James Hamilton and Kaitlen Hall were each charged with two felony charges of obstruction of justice.
If convicted, Stiles and Stumpf could face a maximum prison sentence of 38 and a half years. Hamilton and Hall, if convicted, face a maximum possible prison sentence of six years.
The fire on the Daniel Carter Beard "Big Mac" Bridge broke out on Nov. 1 damaging the Sawyer Point Park playground underneath it and both of the bridge's southbound lanes. No one was injured in the fire authorities said.
Southbound lanes remain closed as the Ohio Department of Transportation continues work on repairs.
According to officials, during the investigation Hall made false statements about her whereabouts the night of the fire as well as false statements about the whereabouts of Stiles and Stumpf. On Dec. 10, Hamilton made false statements to police to conceal their whereabouts as well.
“The conduct of Zachary Stumpf and Terry Stiles put the lives of innocent people in jeopardy, cost the taxpayers of Ohio millions of dollars, and inconvenienced thousands of commuters and travelers who rely on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge to get to and from the city of Cincinnati," said Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers in a news release. "And, instead of doing the right thing and coming forward, they enlisted other people to lie for them in an attempt to evade punishment. My sincere hope is that they each spend the maximum amount of time possible behind bars.”
Senior digital producer Lydia Taylor contributed to this report.