NEWTON - Troopers from the Warren Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol believe speed was a factor in a double-fatal traffic crash late Friday on South Canal Street, south of Hott West Road.
According to the patrol, Newton Falls couple Jamie T. Danes, 37, and Emily M. Danes, 29, both sustained fatal injuries as a result of the 10:30 p.m. crash and were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their vehicle, a 2005 Chevrolet Impala, sustained heavy front end damage and neither occupant was wearing a seat belt, according to reports.
"We will calculate the speeds of the vehicles, and we will also do toxicology reports," said patrol Sgt. Jeffrey Klem. "Seat belts would have helped in this crash."
The other driver, Paul Wodianka, of Diamond, was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center with non-life threatening injuries. His vehicle sustained heavy front end damage as well. It was not immediately known whether he was wearing a seat belt.
The patrol said a high rate of speed contributed to the crash. Alcohol and drugs appear to have contributed as well, the patrol said, but the patrol is awaiting toxicology results to confirm if Wodianka was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs in Friday's accident.
He has been charged with OVI at least three times in the past. Most recently in 2010.
Wodianka was driving a 1997 Cadillac STS north on South Canal at high rate of speed, according to the patrol, while the Daneses were traveling south on South Canal. Wodianka then drove left of center, striking Danes' vehicle head-on.
After the crash, Wodianka's vehicle came to rest off the west side of the road, and Danes' vehicle came to rest off the east side.
The Daneses are the 24th and 25th people killed on Trumbull County roads this year, according to the patrol.
Tribune news partner WYTV 33 contributed to this report.