MONROE, Ohio -- Authorities have charged the 17-year-old driver whose classmate was killed when she crashed while speeding on the way to prom last month.
The teen, whom WCPO will not identify because she is a minor, is facing two counts of vehicular assault and one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, the Butler County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday.
Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said he plans to keep the case in juvenile court.
The Monroe High School student was driving three classmates to prom on April 27 when she crashed. Police previously said the driver was speeding in a 2013 Tesla on Millikin Road in Liberty Township when she attempted a course-correction and lost control and hit a telephone pole.
Investigators wouldn't say exactly how fast the car was moving before the crash but said it was fast enough to warrant the felony charges. A reconstruction team has been working at the site to recreate everything that happened.
Kaylie Jackson, 17, was riding in the back seat and was not wearing a seatbelt, deputies said. She was ejected from the car through the windshield and flown to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment. Kaylie died from her injuries three days later.
Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer previously said "the outcome would have been different" if all the passengers had been wearing seatbelts.
"For juveniles or adults, anytime of the year we stress safe driving," Lt. Rick Bucheit said.
Two other passengers were treated at an area hospital and released. The teen driver's father previously told WCPO she entered counseling at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center after the crash.
Monroe Local Schools superintendent Phil Cagwin said his "thoughts and prayers continue to be with the students and families impacted by the tragic car accident."
"This situation has obviously caused the students and their loved ones a great deal of pain and sadness," he said. "We will continue our efforts to help all of our students recover from this tragedy, and appreciate all those in our community and neighboring school districts for their acts of kindness and support."
The teen driver is scheduled to appear in juvenile court May 24.
