Accompanied by her husband, Ken, and attorney John Rion, Barton read softly and slowly, until the quaver in her voice overpowered her.
"There was nothing I could do to prepare for or prevent this accident," said Barton, 25, of Beavercreek. "I am deeply saddened by the injuries and loss of life that occurred on the road that morning."
She broke down at that point, and Rion read the final two sentences of the statement.
Barton's car slid off the southbound lane into the median of Interstate 675 on Jan. 12 as Kalaman and O'Toole were investigating a previous accident; both were killed. A third firefighter, Charles D. Arnold, remained in serious condition Tuesday at Miami Valley Hospital.
Gene P. Johnson, Jr., 25, of Fairborn, hit a firetruck in a third accident. Johnson was in serious condition Tuesday at Southview Hospital and Family Health Center.
Barton said she was on her way to work at an area bank, traveling "the speed limit or below," and slowed when she saw "what appeared to be a firetruck on an overpass." She said she hit "black ice" and added that the road did not appear to have been sanded or salted.
After the statement was finished, Barton and her husband, his eyes tearing, were led from the room. They did not take questions.
Ohio Highway Patrol Lt. Russell Johnson said investigators are "going to look at everything," but would not comment on whether salt trucks had been out that morning.
Rion said he planned to fax Barton's statement to the OHP. Barton wanted to tell her side of what happened, but decided to wait until after Kalaman and O'Toole were buried Friday, Rion said.
"We feel that she has nothing to hide," Rion said. "As you can tell, this is very difficult for her."
Rion would not say where Barton or her husband works, but said she is a Canadian married to U.S. citizen. The couple met in Canada at a marina owned by her parents, he said.
Rion said he does not expect his client to be charged in the accident. Johnson said it would be at least another week before he would know how long it might take to complete the investigation.
* CONTACT Lou Grieco at 225-2057 or e-mail him at lou_grieco@coxohio.com
PHOTO CREDIT: JAN UNDERWOOD/DAYTON DAILY NEWS