5 tragedies that affected the Dayton region in 2017

Numerous tragic events had a strong impact on Dayton and the region in 2017.

Here’s a look at five of them.

Ohio State fair ride malfunction

One man was killed and seven were injured when a ride malfunctioned on the opening day of the 2017 Ohio State Fair in Columbus.

The man who died was killed on impact after being thrown into the air and landing on the ground 50 feet from the ride.

» READ MORE: Maker says gondola carrying riders broke off; ride passed inspection that day

2 children shot in the head

Khmorra Helton, 8, and her 6-year-old brother Kaiden Helton were found shot in the driveway of their Lori Sue Avenue home on May 18.

Their mother, Claudena Helton, has been indicted on charges that include two counts of aggravated murder of a person younger than 13.

A complaint and affidavit filed by a Dayton police detective said Helton told police she acted against her children “to save them from the evils of the world.”

» READ MORE: 2 children, who police say were shot in head by mother, died

Kettering home explosion kills 1

The force of a house explosion in Kettering in December was so powerful that the homeowner was thrown into her neighbor’s yard.

Kettering firefighters found the home fully engulfed in flames when they arrived shortly before 4:30 a.m. Debris from the house was spread far in the neighborhood.

» WATCH: A tragic Kettering house explosion has left a devastating aftermath

Dayton mother, son killed from car into house

A Dayton mom killed in November along with her 7-year-old son after a car fleeing police crashed into their home had been burned out of another house just six months earlier, a relative said.

A Nissan Maxima tore through the southeast corner of their house in the 800 block of Lilac Avenue.

» READ MORE: Double fatal car-into-house crash was second recent tragedy for family

Child dies in hot car

A 15-month-old girl died after being left in her mother’s vehicle parked in the Procter & Gamble parking lot in Mason in August.

The girl was inside vehicle from about 7:30 a.m. until just before 5 p.m.

» READ MORE: Child left in vehicle for more than 10 hours

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