Police have confirmed the death of a 17-year-old boy from New Carslisle following a devastating accident on a local roadway. The Ohio State Police have identified the deceased teenager as well as the other three teens in the car. Car accidents of this type are usually the result of driver error, negligence, recklessness or even intoxication, but require considerable investigation to determine their cause.
According to police, it appears the young driver was traveling southbound around 7:25 p.m. on Feb. 9 when the accident occurred. For reasons unknown, the driver appeared to cross the center line before leaving the road on the left-hand side. This caused the car to strike a utility pole on the passenger side of the vehicle.
The driver was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The front-seat passenger was also ejected, but survived with injuries not thought to be life-threatening. The two teens in the back seat were also hurt, one with life-threatening injuries, and all survivors were taken to local hospitals for treatment. None of the injured parties were publicly identified by police.
Car accidents where the driver responsible for the crash dies in the accident must be handled differently than if that driver survived. Criminal charges are not filed posthumously, even in cases where the deceased driver was committing criminal acts. However, the injured parties are still entitled under Ohio state law to file personal injury lawsuits against the driver’s estate. Other individuals with ownership interest in the vehicle involved in the crash might also be included in such a suit.
