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Teen sentenced in fatal speed-related crash

Posted at 4:55 PM, Jan 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-05 16:59:21-05

LEBANON, Ohio -- A Carlisle, Ohio teen who pleaded guilty in connection with a crash that killed one child and injured two other people will have to spend at least a year at the Ohio Department of Youth Services.

The girl, now 17, could end up staying there until she's 21, according to a sentence handed down Tuesday. She pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault and reckless operation of a motor vehicle in connection with the May 1 crash.

Juvenile Court Judge Joseph W. Kirby found that she should be ruled a delinquent child. Her license and driving privileges also were suspended for five years.

Prosecutor David P. Fornshell said the teen was headed south on Union Road, going at least 96 mph before the car went airborne when it hit a set of railroad tracks.

The car hit a post and flipped on its side in a home's front yard, killing Kimmy Colyer, 12, and injuring two other passengers, both of whom were minors. The teen driver also suffered serious injuries.

Neither person in the car's back seat was wearing a seat belt, Fornshell said.

Not long after the crash, Katelin Colyer, Kimmy's mom, emphasized the danger of speeding.

"Just pound it into your kids' heads to slow down," she said. "You never know what could happen."