Local News
18-Year-Old Ridge Reichman Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash in Tuscarawas County
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, Ohio — An 18-year-old man from the New Philadelphia area was killed Sunday evening following a two-vehicle crash at an intersection in Tuscarawas County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Authorities identified the victim as Ridge Reichman, 18, who died after the vehicle he was driving was struck by a pickup truck in Lawrence Township.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the collision occurred at approximately 7:53 p.m. on June 28 at the intersection of North Orchard Road and Northwood Avenue.
The preliminary investigation determined that Reichman was driving a 2021 Nissan Altima northbound on Northwood Avenue when he failed to yield the right-of-way at a stop sign.
As the Nissan entered the intersection, it was struck on the driver’s side by an eastbound 2019 Ram 1500 driven by Skylar Nelson, 27, of Bolivar.
The impact caused catastrophic damage to the Nissan.
Investigators said Reichman was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and was ejected from the vehicle during the collision.
Emergency responders transported him to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Nelson and a passenger riding in the Ram pickup were not injured.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said alcohol is suspected to have been a contributing factor in the crash. However, investigators have not released additional details, and the circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation.
Authorities have not indicated whether any charges are anticipated as the investigation continues.
Several emergency agencies assisted at the scene, including:
Bolivar Fire/EMS
Dover EMS
Strasburg EMS
Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office
Keith’s Towing
First responders worked to provide medical assistance, secure the crash scene, and assist investigators.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the fatal crash and is working to determine all factors that contributed to the collision.
Additional information is expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
Local News
Jimmy Brooks Killed in Wrong-Way Tesla Crash on I-26 in Buncombe County, Driver Bradley Vance Charged
BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. — Jimmy Lee Brooks, 42, of Leicester, North Carolina, died after a wrong-way Tesla crash involving three vehicles on Interstate 26 near Asheville on Thursday afternoon, October 22, 2026.
Several other people were injured in the collision, and the Tesla driver has been charged in connection with the fatal crash.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Bradley Vance Lanier, 54, of Taylors, South Carolina, was driving a Tesla westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-26 near Exit 37 when the vehicle struck a Honda SUV head-on before colliding with a Honda passenger car.
Brooks was a passenger in the Honda passenger car. He was transported to Mission Hospital in Asheville, where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said troopers responded to the crash at approximately 2:30 p.m. Thursday near mile marker 37 on eastbound I-26.
According to the agency’s statement, the Tesla entered the interstate traveling west in the eastbound lanes near Exit 37, also associated with Long Shoals Road. The vehicle first struck a Honda SUV head-on and then collided with a Honda passenger car.
A trooper from a neighboring county arrived shortly after the collision and began providing assistance to a passenger inside the Honda passenger car.
The car’s driver and two passengers were transported to Mission Hospital with serious injuries. Brooks was among the passengers and later died at the hospital. Authorities said the conditions of the other occupants were not immediately known.
The driver of the Honda SUV was also taken to Mission Hospital with minor injuries and was later released.
Lanier, the driver of the Tesla, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Mission Hospital before being released, according to the Highway Patrol.
Troopers subsequently charged him with four offenses:
- Driving while impaired (DWI)
- Felony death by vehicle
- Felony serious injury
- Reckless driving
Following his release from the hospital, Lanier was taken to the Buncombe County Detention Facility, where he was being held on a $5 million secured bond, according to the agency’s statement.
The charges are allegations, and the case will proceed through the court system. The official statement does not establish a conviction.
Interstate 26 was closed for approximately two hours while troopers investigated the collision and documented the scene.
The investigation centers on the circumstances that led the Tesla to travel in the wrong direction on the eastbound side of the interstate and the subsequent collisions involving the two Honda vehicles.
Authorities have not released the current medical conditions of all the injured occupants.
The fatal crash claimed the life of Brooks, a Leicester resident, and left several other people requiring hospital treatment.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating the collision. Further information about the case may be released as the investigation and legal proceedings continue.