×

Additional charges for driver in fatal accident

LISBON — The grand jury has issued additional charges against a man that was involved in a crash that took the life of a his classmate in May.

Jacob T. Chamberlain, 18, Bacon Avenue, East Palestine, was served with a secret indictment on Wednesday for the charges of two counts of vehicular homicide, second- and third-degree felonies, two counts aggravated vehicular assault, third- and fourth-degree felonies, and three counts OVI, all first-degree misdemeanors.

The charges stem from the May 27 crash in which Chamberlain was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Impala northbound on Creek Road around 12:32 a.m. and went left of center off the left side of the road into a ditch and a tree, resulting in the death of his classmate Timothy Walton, 18, of New Waterford.

The crash happened just five days after Chamberlain’s 18th birthday and two days before he and Walton’s high school graduation from Crestview.

Walton and another passenger, Tyler S. Barnes, 21, of New Waterford, were not wearing seatbelts and were taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for their injuries. Walton was pronounced dead at the hospital about five hours later.

Chamberlain is charged with vehicular homicide for Walton’s death and aggravated vehicular assault for Barnes’ injuries. His OVI charges stem from his alleged consumption of alcohol and marijuana prior to the crash in which he was reportedly traveling at nearly 75 miles per hour before impact.

After the crash, he walked to a friend’s house on state Route 46 near New Waterford where he called for help. He was picked up there by highway patrol troopers and taken back to the scene where he reportedly told them he drank about six beers and smoked marijuana that night.

A urine drug test showed there was alcohol and marijuana in his system.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today