Toledo man, 21 indicted in crash that killed man

7/28/2012

A Toledo man has been indicted on alternate counts of aggravated vehicular homicide for allegedly causing a one-car crash resulting in his passenger's death.

Francisco Cortez, 21, of Valleywood Drive is charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, one allegedly involving the use of drugs or alcohol.

He faces up to eight years in prison if convicted.

Authorities said that Paul Gonzalez, 25, of Colburn Street, a passenger in the car, died of blunt force trauma and a broken neck Feb. 27. A second passenger, Christopher Rose, 22, also of Colburn Street, was treated for injuries.

According to police, the car was southbound in the 2900 block of Broadway at Harvard Boulevard near Walbridge Park shortly after 10 p.m. Feb. 27 when the driver lost control and missed a turn.

The car hit a light pole and split in half, with the front compartment landing in a water fountain in the intersection's roundabout.