Troopers say speed, alcohol involved in fiery, fatal Liberty crash; driver charged
The Ohio State Highway Patrol has charged a driver for a fatal accident in which Troopers say unsafe speed and alcohol may have played a part.
Troopers say 41-year-old Nicholas Thompson of Youngstown died after the car he was in ran off a curve along Colonial Drive just after midnight Friday, struck a utility pole, and caught fire near Biscayne Avenue in Liberty Township.
Dylan Vrancich, 25, of Hubbard who was driving the car, was hospitalized with injuries that Troopers say are not life-threatening. One count of aggravated vehicular homicide has been filed against Vranchich in Girard Municipal Court.
The patrol says its preliminary investigation suggests both men were wearing safety belts at the time of the crash.
Unsafe speed contributed to the crash, according to Troopers who say Vrancich was driving while under the influence of alcohol.