BETHEL, Ohio – A teenage driver is dead after a car accident in Clermont County Saturday.
Grief counselors are scheduled to be available for classmates and friends at Western Brown High School Monday morning after 16-year-old Zachary R. Carnahan was killed in a one vehicle accident over the weekend.
The crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. Saturday on Crane School House Road in the area of Moore Road in Tate Township.
Police say Carnahan was driving a 2004 Hyundai eastbound on Crane School House Road when he lost control of the vehicle after crossing a grade. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway, striking a concrete bridge abutment.
Zach's friend, 16-year-old Ricky Morgeson, also of Mt. Orab, was transported to University Hospital by medical helicopter with serious injuries.
Neighbor Mike Richards heard the crash, called 911, then tried to help out.
"It pretty much exploded. It cut the car clean in two, the front end was facing back towards the road," said Richards. "The rear two thirds was laying about 100 degrees facing the other direction."
Richards said debris from the wreck flew into his yard more than 30 yards away.
Zach's mother, Pat, says she promised she'd buy him a car for Christmas. She made good on the promise Thursday after she got her income tax refund.
She says Zach was out looking for a job and stopped by his uncle's home in Tate Township to show off his new car before the accident happened.
Zach took high school classes on line, but planned to return to Western Brown High School next year. His best friend, Brian Taylor tells 9News Zach planned to go to college and play football.
"We did everything together really," said Taylor "We were always together."
Friends and family gathered at Zach's home in Mt. Orab Sunday night exchanging fond memories of their friend.
"He loved his mom, his mom meant so much to him so did his niece and his brother," said Zach's friend Elisha Cook.
Cook recalled memories of watching cartoons with Zach recently.
Police believe that speed was a factor in the accident. The crash remains under investigation.
Zach's family
hope's to have funeral arrangements made early this week.
