By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SALEM TOWNSHIP - A 74-year-old retired doctor told police that he fell asleep at the wheel when he lost control of his car Thursday and plowed into the side of a Morrow police cruiser, trapping the injured officer inside, state troopers said.

Sgt. Heath Kilburn, the nephew of the chief, was pinned in his patrol car for more than 30 minutes before being taken to Bethesda North Hospital. He was treated for minor injuries and released.

Trooper Scott Adams, of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Lebanon post, said Dr. Clifford Leavitt, a physician for decades in Morrow, was traveling east on U.S. 22/Ohio 3 shortly after 10 a.m., when his car left the right side of the road.

The car mowed down a mailbox and several small trees and shrubs before striking the cruiser, which was stopped at the intersection of Lake Road.

"Heath saw him going off the road and started backing up to avoid the collision," Trooper Adams said. Sgt. Kilburn was able to radio for help.

Dr. Leavitt refused medical treatment at the scene.

Trooper Adams said he was checking several medications Dr. Leavitt said he was taking to determine whether they could have caused drowsiness.

Trooper Adams said there was no indication that alcohol was involved in the crash.