Driver in crash might have been drunk

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY

SPRINGFIELD — Champaign County deputies are investigating the possibility that one of the drivers involved in a November crash that killed an Urbana teen might have been drunk.

According to a crash report obtained by the Springfield News-Sun, the driver of the other car, Dylan Lambert, 27, of St. Paris, is being investigated for possibly being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Lambert tested at a .232 percent bloodalcohol level following the incident, according to the crash report. That's nearly three times the 0.08 percent limit at which a person is considered to be driving drunk in the state of Ohio.

No charges have yet been filed in the case.

Authorities say that Lambert tried to pass an Accord driven by Gabe Wier, 17, and in which Sara Hess, 15, was a passenger. Wier had slowed to make a lefthand turn when the Accord was rear-ended by Lambert's car, forcing the Accord off the road and into a ditch. It then flipped over before coming to a rest on its wheels.

Hess, who was wearing a seat belt, was killed.

She attended Graham High School near Springfield and that school community is still mourning Hess’ death, Graham Superintendent Kirk Koennecke said. The school hosted a candlelight vigil for Hess on Nov. 6. The Graham Local Schools district closed all schools on Nov. 10 for her funeral.