Appeals Court Says Ohio County Could be Liable for Fatal Wreck

An appeals court says a northeastern Ohio county could be liable in the death of a 17-year-old girl who apparently lost control while driving on a road under repair.

At issue is the absence of white lines on the rural road in Wayne County during the repair project in 2011.

The parents of crash victim Kelli Baker say the county is liable because the condition of the road contributed to the accident, including the lack of lines and steep berms.

A judge rejected the family’s lawsuit, saying the county had immunity, but the Ninth District Court of Appeals overturned that decision last week.

The appeals court returned the case to the judge for further review, saying the county could be liable for failing to keep the road in repair.