Teen killed, 2 hurt as car goes off road

4/14/2003

FAYETTE, Ohio — A Fayette High School student was killed and two others were hurt early yesterday when their car went off a Fulton County road and flipped over, throwing all three occupants from the vehicle, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

Shane Kunkle, 17, of Fayette a passenger in the vehicle, died at Medical College of Ohio Hospitals shortly after the accident that was reported at 4:40 a.m., troopers said. Nicholas Merillat and Aaron Towers, both 17 and also of Fayette, were in critical condition last night at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

Troopers said young Towers was eastbound on County Road T a mile east of Fayette driving a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am when he lost control and went off the south side of the road.

The car struck a ditch and flipped several times, coming to rest on its roof in a field. Troopers said young Merillat was in the back seat.

The accident remains under investigation by the patrol and Ohio Department of Public Safety, which investigates liquor violations.