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Speed a factor, charges pending in Oxford crash

Last Thursday, Cherish Bolt, 18, of Liberty, Indiana was driving down Todd Rd. when her car spun out of control. After she struck a utility pole, the crash resulted in the deaths of two teenage passengers riding in her vehicle.

According to the Oxford Twp. Police Chief Michael Goins, Bolt may face charges.

According to police reports, Bolt's 2013 Nissan was heading northeast in the 6300 block of Todd shortly after 1 p.m. when it veered off the right side, rolled several times and then ripped in half after it struck a utility pole, the chief said.

The two teens, who were pronounced dead shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday, were identified as Douglas C. Minton, 18, and Amanda H. Durham, 19, both of West College Corner, Indiana, according to the Butler County coroner.

The coroner completed autopsies Thursday, stating that both Durham and Minton died of multiple traumatic injuries. Bolt was transported to McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital after the single-vehicle crash. Details of her injuries are not available.

According to Goins, charges are pending against Bolt and will be determined once his department and the Butler County Traffic Crash Unit complete their investigation. Speed appeared to be a factor in the crash, however it has yet to be determined if alcohol or drugs were involved.

Goins said Todd Road is not known for crashes, although it is sometimes busy.

"We've had a couple (accidents), but nothing of this magnitude," he said. "It's not one of our worst roads, but it leads into Hueston Woods, so it's busy during the summer."

Officers from the Butler County Traffic Crash unit and the Oxford Township Police Department are handling the investigation.

According to lawyers.com, most convictions for vehicle-related deaths (often called vehicular homicide) are for manslaughter, the unintentional and unlawful killing of another person. Manslaughter is usually divided into voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. The driver's actions and conduct at the time of the killing determine which crime the driver may be charged with.

If charged with involuntary manslaughter, Bolt's license will be immediately suspended and the court may impose mandatory jail time.

Earlier this month, the township said it would apply for a grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to get more traffic signage to reduce the number of crashes. Oxford and Fairfield townships were in the top 100 statewide for traffic crashes.

According to ODOT statistics, crash data from 2010 to 2013, shows that Oxford Twp. had 401 crashes, including two fatal accidents and 92 injury crashes.