Fatal crash, gunfire interrupt teenager’s funeral procession

Chaos erupted throughout a funeral procession when a automotive crashed killing one boy, adopted by gunshots.
Phil Masturzo /Akron Beacon Journal by way of AP

At the least two vehicles crashed throughout a funeral procession for a teen who died of a suspected drug overdose, killing a 12-year-old boy and critically injuring his 6-year-old brother, police in Ohio mentioned.

Two episodes of gunfire adopted the crash, wounding at the very least one individual.

A marked police cruiser was main the procession by means of Akron on Thursday afternoon when the collision occurred.

The boys had been driving in a automotive pushed by their mom; witnesses reported that the automobile had been shifting erratically and that passengers had been hanging out of home windows. Police mentioned one of many boys was thrown from the automotive and the opposite partially ejected. Their mom was not harm.

It wasn’t clear what brought about the crash, however Akron police Lt. Michael Miller mentioned “horseplay” isn't unusual amongst some drivers in funeral processions within the metropolis.

The mom was anticipated to face expenses stemming from the crash, although it wasn’t clear Friday what counts she would possibly face. Miller mentioned the investigation continues, noting that “we need to strike a steadiness and yield to grace because it pertains to overly disparaging the grieving mom.”

Witnesses say the crash automotive had passengers hanging out of the window and was driving erratically.

Phil Masturzo /Akron Beacon Journal by way of AP

Seconds after the crash, a gunshot rang out, and a person who was driving one other concerned automobile ran off and has not been discovered, police mentioned. It wasn’t clear who fired the shot.

Authorities mentioned they had been trying into whether or not a 3rd automobile was concerned. A 19-year-old suffered a gunshot wound not thought of life-threatening, and investigators had been attempting to find out his function, if any, within the crash.

Complicating the investigation was a second taking pictures that occurred minutes later, nearby of the crash scene. Greater than a dozen photographs had been fired, however authorities mentioned that nobody was injured in that gunfire and that the 2 shootings gave the impression to be unrelated.

Officers recognized the 12-year-old killed within the crash as Tymar Allen, of Akron, and an post-mortem Friday decided he died of blunt pressure accidents suffered within the crash. His brother remained hospitalized Friday. His identify and the extent of his accidents haven't been disclosed.

It wasn’t clear what ties the boys or anybody else concerned within the crash could have had with the 17-year-old boy for whom the procession was held.