Officials are releasing more information about the cause of a fatal early morning crash in Clermont County.
Investigators now say an illegal organized drag race resulted in the crash that killed a Milford man and injured two others.
According to police, 21-year-old Dustin Purcell of Loveland and his two passengers were involved in a race against other drivers on
Newtownsville Road just before 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Purcell reportedly lost control of his 1992 Honda Civic and went off the side of the road just north of SR 727 in Wayne Township. The car then hit a ditch and flipped over.
The crash ejected Purcell's back seat passenger, 22-year-old Mitchell Woodruff of Milford, out of the car's rear window. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
Purcell and a front seat passenger, 23-year-old Christopher Spurling of Loveland, were both wearing seat belts and survived the crash. Rescue crews took Purcell to Bethesda North Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. Spurling suffered only minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene.
According to officials, excessive speed was a main factor in the crash, but alcohol was not involved.
Police say the illegal drag race involved several other vehicles and several spectators. The crash remains under investigation as they continue to interview the witnesses.
