SUMMARY: West Salem man in jail, may face criminal charges
A West Salem man is in jail after a fatal crash that claimed the life of an 11-year-old Wooster girl.
Bryan Reed, 45, 10320 Stair Road, is being held at the Wayne County Jail after allegedly causing an accident Friday, Aug. 19, that claimed the life of Sarah Zook, Blachleyville Road. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash.
Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Lutz was not available for comment as of 4 p.m. Monday. A representative with Wayne County Municipal court said charges have not been filed against Reed.
According to Ohio State Highway Patrol, Wooster Post reports, the crash occurred at 11:27 p.m on state Route 301 north of Interstate 71 when Sarah was a passenger in a southbound buggy driven by Jonas H. Hostetler, 22, Spencer Road, Homerville. Reed was southbound on state Route 301 in a 2007 black Chevy Silverado 2500 and struck the buggy from behind, pushing it off the right side of the road.
Sarah, Jonas Hostetler, Mattie Hostetler, 21, Spencer Road, Homerville, and Eli Zook, 18, Blachleyville Road, Wooster, were ejected from the buggy. All but Jonas Hostetler were injured.
Sarah was transported by Town and Country EMS to Lodi Hospital and transferred to Akron General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Eli Zook and Mattie Hostetler were also taken to Akron General and have been released, a spokesperson with the hospital said Monday.
Reed was not injured in the crash.
Wooster Post Lt. Chad Enderby reported that the buggy was marked with gas lantern lights red/orange paint and white reflective tape.
