An 18-year-old was charged on Wednesday in connection with a freeway drag race that killed a manand critically injured a woman.
Brandon Smith was charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide andaggravated vehicular assault, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported.
While Smith's car never hit another vehicle, prosecutors said that his act of street racingcontributed to the crash, leading to the charges.
SLIDESHOW: Images From Crash Scene, Woman's Recovery
According to Franklin County prosecutor Ron O'Brien, Smith was behind the wheel of a Camaro thatwas drag racing along Interstate 70.
"It was a planned event," O'Brien said. "I believed it's alleged that that evening therewere conversations about engaging in the competitive drag race."
The driver of the other car, George Staton, lost control of his car and crossed the medianbefore crashing into another vehicle.
Staton, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
The driver of the car that was struck, Monica Durban, was critically hurt in the crash. Durban, 20, was in a coma and on life support and is recovering from her injuries, 10TV Newsreported.
According to police, not only was Staton drag racing moments before the crash, but he was alsolegally drunk. Police records obtained by 10TV News show there were four witnesses to thecrash: Staton's wife, his neighbor, his cousin and the driver Staton was racing.
Staton's wife and neighbor told investigators that the other man called Staton and challengedhim to a race. When asked about the race the driver told police that his car "started breakingloose, so (he) let off the gas," allowing Staton to speed past him.
Staton's neighbor, who was following behind with Staton's wife, said that "after the race wasover they both hit their brakes to slow down." The neighbor said it was "5 or 10 seconds later"that Staton lost control and crossed the median, 10TV's Glenn McEntyre reported.
Durban told 10TV News on Wednesday that her recovery is going "wonderfully."
"I was grateful and exicted that something good was coming of my case, that justice is finallybeing served," Durban said.
Lee Durban, Monica's father, said he wanted to send a message to all street racers, Landersreported.
"We don't want people to die or go through things that my daughter has gone through," Lee Durbansaid.
"My life is ruined and George Staton is dead, so that could happen to anyone and they shouldknow that," Monica Durban said.
Smith was expected to turn himself in to police on Thursday, Landers said.
Prosecutors said that Smith would be allowed to post bond because he was cooperating withpolice.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
July 14, 2008: Police: Crash Investigation Could Have Been 'Better'
January 28, 2008: Police: Racing Might Have Contributed To Head-On Crash
January 27, 2008: Man Killed, Woman Critical After I-70 Crash
