Teen dies in apparent drag racing incident on Henderson bridge

An Elyria teen died June 13 as the result of an apparent drag racing incident in Lorain, police said.

At 10:58 p.m., the Lorain Police Department Traffic Bureau responded to the north side of the Henderson Bridge for a fatal motor vehicle crash where Katlin Daniels, 18, of Elyria, died from the injuries she suffered, according to a Lorain police news release.

An initial investigation determined a white 1995 Honda Civic reportedly was drag racing a green Honda Civic going north over the Henderson Bridge, the release said.

As the white Honda was exiting the bridge, it failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway due to excessive speed.

The car lost control and traveled left of the center line, crossed the southbound lanes and then ran off the left side of the road and collided with the guard rail.

The rear driver’s side passenger made contact with a utility pole.

The Civic came to final rest on Henderson Drive in the south lane, just south of Bridge Drive.

A 22-year-old Lorain woman was driving the white Civic.

Her driver’s license was suspended and she was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, the release said.

She was not wearing her seat belt and suffered incapacitating injuries.

LifeCare Ambulance paramedics transported her to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital for treatment.

Daniels was the rear driver’s side passenger and also was transported to Mercy Health where doctors pronounced her dead, the release said.

The green Civic reportedly drag racing with the white Civic fled the scene and has not been located; police are actively searching for this vehicle.

After the crash, two of the driver’s family members, a 20-year-old man and 54-year-old man, both from Lorain, were hindering emergency operations at the emergency scene, police said.

They were arrested and taken to the Lorain County Jail on charges of obstructing official business, a second-degree misdemeanor, and misconduct at an emergency, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

The Henderson Bridge was closed for six hours while authorities investigated the scene.

Impairment by alcohol appears to be a factor in the crash, according to the release.

When the investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office, the release said.

No charges have been filed against the driver at this time.

SUBMITTED An Elyria teen died June 13 as the result of an apparent drag racing incident in Lorain.