Van Wert man convicted for 2 crash deaths

5/10/2006

VAN WERT - A Van Wert County Common Pleas jury convicted a Van Wert man yesterday on two charges of aggravated vehicular homicide.

Luke Reinhart, 27, was convicted in the Sept. 3 deaths of Kristian and Jade Amweg of Decatur, Ind., in a crash near Ohio City. The jury heard witnesses who said Reinhart smelled of alcohol shortly after the crash.

Deputies said Reinhart's northbound car was traveling 62 mph on Dull Robinson Road and the victims' westbound vehicle was traveling at 41 mph on Wren-Landeck Road when they collided. Deputies say he failed to stop for a stop sign.

Judge Charles Steele set sentencing for May 31.

Last month, Reinhart was resentenced to his original prison term of eight months for a 2003 drug conviction. He violated his community control sanctions by drinking alcohol.