Fatal Car Accidents Reviewed In Lorain County

ELYRIA, OH — The Lorain County Traffic Fatality Review Committee recently examined nine fatal accidents.

“The committee wants to remind all Lorain County drivers to be alert, watch for speed limit signs especially in school zones, in neighborhoods, and on rural roads,” said Lorain County Public Health Commissioner David Covell.

The examined crashes took place between Nov. 29, 2020 and Feb. 6, 2021. The committee ruled that the following factors played a role in the crashes: five crashes involved high speed, three drivers were under age 25, two crashes involved drugs and alcohol, one crash involved a motorcycle and no helmet, two crashes involved people not wearing a seat belt, and one crash involved a drowsy driver.

In 2020, there were 15 fatal car accidents in Lorain County. Those accidents killed 17 people. The committee found that a seat belt was not worn in 22 percent of the crashes and alcohol or narcotics were a factor in 20 percent of the crashes. Nine of the crashes happened in rural Lorain County.

Compare that to 2019, when there were 17 fatal car accidents causing 19 deaths. Half of the accidents involved people not wearing seat belts, while alcohol was factor in 29 percent of the crashes. Ten of the crashes happened in rural Lorain County.

The committee wants to deter future accidents by telling drivers to slow down. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an awareness campaign called, "Stop Speeding Before It Stops You."