Springfield Local School District officials say grief counseling is available following the traffic death of one student and the injury of another.

A two-vehicle crash in Springfield killed a New Middletown woman and a teenage passenger, and seriously injured a Struthers man Monday night

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Angela Brown, 44, of New Middletown, died at the scene of the crash on State Route 170, just north of New Middletown. 

Two juvenile passengers in Brown's car were flown to a hospital where a 15-year-old boy died. The second passenger, a 12-year-old boy, was listed in critical condition. Both are students in the Springfield School system.

Springfield Local Schools have released the following statement:

Our Springfield community suffered an unimaginable tragedy with the passing of a student and his mother last evening. We offer our deepest condolences to the family while continuing to pray for the second student's recovery. In our time of sorrow, we are committed to creating a safe space for students and staff to grieve and process their emotions through the help of additional counselors and support personnel. In the coming days and weeks, we will move forward delicately, sensitively, and respectfully.

 

Troopers have not released the names of the children.

Walter A. Bolt, 59, of Struthers, the driver of a Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown with serious injuries.

The crash occurred just before 8 p.m. when Bolt’s southbound pickup went left of center and struck a northbound 2004 Honda Accord driven by Brown, the patrol said. The Accord overturned and came to rest in a ditch, and the Colorado came to rest partially off the road.

The patrol said all four people were not wearing seatbelts. 

Alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation, the patrol said.

“He had slurred speech, blood shot glassy eyes, strong odor of alcoholic beverage was coming from him. Several open cans of alcoholic beverages were located in the vehicle,” Sergeant Patrick Abel from the Ohio State Highway Patrol said about Bolt.

Investigators said charges will be filed against Bolt.

The road, closed during the investigation, has since reopened.

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