ELYRIA, Ohio — A Columbia Station man has been charged following a fatal alcohol-related crash that occurred in October, killing a victim of the crash and an off-duty firefighter who was attempting to assist.
Keith Liedtke, 31, was driving a 2007 Pontiac G5 east on Sprague Road in Columbia Station when the vehicle drove off the right side of the road and struck a utility pole. The impact caused the pole to break in half and power lines fell into the road. Liedtke and his passenger, 27-year-old Brent Reszler, exited the Pontiac and began walking north, but came into contact with the downed power lines, shocking them. That’s when 23-year-old Columbia Station firefighter Brett Wilson attempted to help.
Wilson, who was off-duty, and his 24-year-old girlfriend overheard the crash and ran over to help, but were both shocked by the power lines. Wilson and Reszler died from the injuries they sustained after coming into contact with the power lines. Wilson's girlfriend was transported to Southwest General Hospital in serious condition. Liedtke was also transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries after coming into contact with the downed power lines.
At the time of the crash, troopers suspected alcohol was a factor in the crash.
On Friday, Liedtke was booked into the Lorain County Jail. He was charged with four felony counts of aggravated vehicular assualt, two counts of vehicular assault and two counts of operating a vehicle under the influence.
Liedtke’s bond was set at $100,000. His next court date has not yet been set.
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