Teens charged in street racing crash

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Two teenage boys are facing charges in connection to an illegal street race crash that injured two girls last month.

The crash happened after school on Thursday, Feb. 17 on Route 4 near Allison Road in Fairfield Township. Police say a 16-year-old was driving an Acura Integra in a street race against a Porsche driven by a 17-year-old.

Investigators say the cars were driving in excess of 80 mph when the Acura struck the back of a Jeep Wrangler. Inside the Jeep were two other Butler Tech students who were not involved in the race.

The collision caused the Acura and Jeep to spin across the highway into oncoming eastbound traffic. The Acura came to a stop on the shoulder of the eastbound lanes. The Jeep overturned off the south side of the roadway. Investigators say the driver of the Porsche left the scene of the crash.

Both female students in the Jeep suffered non life-threatening injuries.

Fairfield Township Police Chief Richard St. John said last month it was unfortunate that something like that had to happen to teach young drivers a lesson. "It's just a bad idea. You've got inexperienced drivers. They have no idea what these cars are capable of. They have this feeling they're invincible."
Fairfield Township police filed charges against both drivers on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old is charged with drag racing, two counts of vehicular assault and failure to stop. All are felony charges. He's also charged with misdemeanor count of unauthorized use of a vehicle. He pleaded not true in court Thursday morning. A judge then released him but ordered him to serve home incarceration.

The 16-year-old is charged with two counts of vehicular assault. He turned himself in to police on Wednesday and was also released for home incarceration.

Both teens are scheduled to return to court on April 5.