Troopers step up enforcement on I-75 near statue remains

Solid Rock Church Jesus monument struck by lightning was destroyed after fire.

STAFF MAP Site of the former King of Kings statue at Solid Rock Church, 904 Union Road, Monroe, OH‎.

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Staff Report Updated 1:00 PM Wednesday, June 16, 2010

MONROE — The Ohio Highway Patrol has stepped up visibility and enforcement along Interstate 75 near Solid Rock Church, where motorists have been slowing — and in some cases stopping — to view the remains of the “King of Kings” statue, which was destroyed by fire late Monday night.

Tuesday night, June 15, troopers had issued a handful of citations for either impeding traffic or parking along the highway and they warned countless others who stopped to snap pictures, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Lebanon Post. However, this afternoon, troopers could not provide the exact number of citations issued.

Sgt. Clint Arnold said a motorcycle patrol has been assigned to the area to keep people off the berm and assure traffic is flowing smoothly. Arnold said this morning there were no reports of traffic problems in the area.

Since news of the lightning-induced fire that destroyed the six-story statue of Jesus Christ, Sgt. Tracy Callahan, assistant post commander, said motorists have been slowing to 10 to 15 mph, hanging out car windows to take pictures or stopping along the shoulder and getting out of their vehicles.

“It continued to get worse and at a certain point we had five or six vehicles pulling off on the berm. Others pulled to a slow crawl with passengers taking pictures. It’s just really causing problems,” he said.

Callahan said no accidents have been reported but there have been several close calls.

He said I-75 is one of the busiest highways in the country and to have people slowing is extremely dangerous.

“Since the fire, traffic has basically come to a crawl” and it only got worse during rush hour, Callahan said.

Prior to the fire, Callahan said motorists periodically stopped to take pictures of the statue, but on Tuesday it was a day-long event.

At one point, while Callahan was ordering motorists to keep moving, a motorist pulled behind him, parked their vehicle and attempted to get out to take a picture of the remains.

“We understand the public interest, but we have to put safety first,” he said. “We have to keep people moving because it’s just too dangerous.”

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