Drugs believed to be factor in fatal single-vehicle crash

BERLIN HEIGHTS – Drug use is believed to be a determining faction in a fatal crash that occurred on State Route 113, just west of State Route 60, in Florence Township.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred Monday afternoon when a 1995 Ford Mustang, driven by Steve Chaffee, of Norwalk, was traveling westbound on State Route 113. The Mustang went left of center and traveled off the left side of the roadway. It then struck a ditch multiple times before coming to final rest.

Chaffee sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to Lorain Mercy for his injuries.

A passenger, Thomas Zellner, of Wakeman, also sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to Lorain Mercy. Zellner was later transported to Cleveland Metro Hospital, where he died from his injuries as a result of the crash.

According to the Highway Patrol, drug use is a determining factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.