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Police studying air-bag modules from fatal crash

Jun 30, 2008 | RUSS ZIMMER | Newark Times

Investigators are hoping to retrieve data from air-bag modules out of both vehicles involved in a June 15 fatal crash that killed three Licking County residents. 

Ohio Highway Patrol troopers at the scene said the driver of the other vehicle, Steve Neale, 38, of Westerville, admitted to drinking beer several hours before the crash, according to court records.

Search warrants returned Monday to the Licking County Court of Common Pleas show the Ohio Highway Patrol removed air-bag modules last week from a 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche and a 1999 Saturn involved in the early morning incident at the intersection of Morse Road and Ohio 310.

The documents, signed by Common Pleas Judge Thomas Marcelain, seek permission to obtain evidence of aggravated vehicular homicide.

The driver of the Saturn, Gabrielle Mayabb, 18, and passengers Nicole Swigert-Moats, 18, and Kevin Miller, 25, all died from injuries suffered in the crash. A fourth occupant and the Saturn's sole survivor, Paul Davis Jr., 20, remained in serious condition Monday at Mount Carmel West Hospital.

Neale emerged from his truck uninjured.

Troopers who responded to the 12:10 a.m. crash noted a "moderate odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath" and said Neale stated he had consumed four or five beers before 8:30 p.m., according to the search warrants.

He also allegedly "displayed clues consistent with impairment" during field sobriety testing, the affidavits continue.

Sgt. Frank Horvath, a crash reconstructionist from the patrol's headquarters, said Monday the investigation is ongoing and the information gained from the air-bag modules likely will be used to support their findings.

The modules, which first began showing up in cars in 1993, can be pulled from the vehicle and hooked up to a computer to reveal data secured immediately before the air bags were deployed, Horvath said.

In this instance, the two vehicles, despite both being produced by General Motors, have different air-bag modules.

The Chevy's module will display speed before impact and whether the brake switch was activated, while the Saturn will only display change of velocity in graph form, he added.

Investigators still are awaiting results of a urine sample submitted by Neale after the crash.

Lt. L.H. Roseboro, commander of the patrol's Granville post, said previously that the testing does not imply Neale was responsible for the crash.

The vehicles collided in the middle of the intersection and Neale told troopers he had the green light, according to earlier statements by Highway Patrol officials.