“Eskeli was life-flighted to Miami Valley Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” the report states.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Victim identified in deadly crash on I-70; driver of BMW booked into jail
OSP representatives said 37-year-old Mark Terrell of South Charleston was the driver of the BMW and was arrested at the scene on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and tampering with evidence.
“The driver was found to be intoxicated,” said OSP Springfield Post Commander Lt. Brian Aller. “So he was transported to Clark County Jail.”
Terrell was released from Clark County Jail early Tuesday after being booked, Clark County Sheriff Office Lt. Kristopher Shultz said. A suspect facing a felony can be held in the jail for 48 hours, Shultz said, but a prosecutor reviewed the case against Terrell and decided to release him.
Clark County Prosecutor Dan Driscoll said his office is awaiting test results from samples collected at the scene.
He said it is possible for Terrell to be indicted in Clark County Common Pleas Court at a later date. Driscoll said he anticipates presenting the evidence to a Clark County Grand Jury once the results are available.
OSP began their investigation Tuesday morning at 2:33 a.m. when they were told that a crash had taken place near milepost 59 in Clark County, the report states.
“The BMW struck the left side of the Ford Focus, causing the Ford Focus to travel off the right side of the roadway,” the release states. “The Ford Focus struck an exit sign, light pole, and rolled over before coming to final rest on its left side. The BMW continued eastbound for a short distance before it became disabled along the right berm.”
Aller said speed also played a factor in the crash.
“He was going so fast,” Aller said. “He just kept on going and came to a stop about a quarter mile up the road.”
The release says 21-year-old Zach Cooper III was in the right front passenger seat of the Ford Focus and was transported to Springfield Regional Medical Hospital and then life-flighted to Miami Valley Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Also, 22-year-old Benjamin Cooper was in the back seat of the Ford Focus and he too was transported to Springfield Regional Hospital for precautionary reasons.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation into the crash.
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