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Two accused of breaking roadblock at fatal crash scene

NEWTON FALLS — Two men accused of attempting to drive through a roadblock set up as authorities investigated a fatal accident in Braceville Tuesday night were arraigned Thursday in Newton Falls Municipal Court.

Leaon Hines Vanterool Gordon, 26, of Brookfield, Conn. and Noah Denious, 22, of Akron, were taken into custody early Wednesday after authorities chased down the car they were riding in. The vehicle had fled the area of state Routes 5 and 534.

One of the men is being accused of depriving a law enforcement officer of his weapon.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the incident, saying a report is not completed.

Both men filed not guilty pleas via a video hookup with Judge Philip Vigorito’s court.

Gordon, who was identified as the driver, is charged with aggravated robbery, assault and failure to comply, while Denious faces tampering and aggravated robbery charges.

Newton Falls police Chief Gene Fixler said he did not have all the details, but knew an officer was directing traffic at the fatal crash when he was assaulted by two men.

The nature of the robbery charge indicates one of the men is being accused of depriving a law enforcement officer of his weapon, the document states, but no other detail was provided.

First responders had set up roadblocks in two places after an Akron man and a Leavittsburg woman were killed after a spectacular three-car crash at the Route 5 and 534 intersection. Three other people, including a 10-year-old, were injured.

Brandon O. Grove, 35, of Akron and April M. Davis, 34, of Leavittsburg, were both declared dead at the scene, the patrol reported. As a result of the collision, witnesses said Grove’s vehicle traveled off the right side of the road, struck a traffic sign, overturning about 10 times before catching fire. The man was partially ejected from the vehicle.

The patrol said the investigation is continuing and drugs are suspected to be a factor in the accident.

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