Piketon man charged with aggravated vehicular homicide in crash that killed three children

LUCASVILLE - A Piketon man has been charged with three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide after a two-vehicle crash in Scioto County on Friday in which three children were killed.

According to the Portsmouth Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a call of a serious crash on Ohio 104 near milepost 13 in Morgan Township at 1:26 p.m. Friday, May 24.

Gage A. Smith, 22, of Piketon, was driving a 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier northbound on Ohio 104. After passing another northbound vehicle, Smith lost control, traveled left of center and struck an oncoming southbound vehicle, according to a news release.

Tyler M. Bellaw, 29, of Piketon, was driving a 1994 Ford F-350 southbound on Ohio 104 when he was struck by Smith's vehicle in the southbound lane.

Courtney D. Copas, 28, of Piketon was the front seat passenger of Smith's vehicle. She was transported to Southern Ohio Medical Center and later Grant Hospital with serious injuries.

Killed in the crash were three children who were in the back seat of Smith's vehicle -- Navy A. Copas, 4, Madison Q. Copas, 6, and Xavier A. Smith, 5.

Gage Smith was treated and released as SOMC and incarcerated at the Scioto County Jail. He has been charged with three counts of aggravated vehicle homicide, first-degree felonies, and one count of aggravated vehicular assault, a second-degree felony.

According to the patrol, Smith is suspected to be under the influence of drugs and impairment is believed to be a factor in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation.

In addition to the patrol, the Scioto County Sheriff's Office, the Ohio Department of Transportation, Morgan, Union and Valley Township fire departments, Union, Rush and Valley Township EMS, Portsmouth Ambulance, Scioto County Prosecutor's Office and Scioto County Child Protective Service assisted with the investigation.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Piketon man charged in crash that killed three children in Scioto County