DRIVER IN UPPER ARLINGTON NEW YEAR’S EVE FATAL CRASH INDICTED FOR AGGRAVATED VEHICULAR HOMICIDE

Posted on 8/23/2016

Defendant: Daniel P. Merz

Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said, “The tragic death of a young man and serious injury to another was the result of excessive speed and reckless driving.”  Prosecutor Ron O’Brien announced today that the Franklin County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against Daniel P. Merz, age 23, in connection to the New Year’s Eve 2015 crash that occurred in the intersection of Riverside Drive at Nottingham Road in Upper Arlington.  Merz has been indicted for one count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (F-3) and one count of Vehicular Assault (F-4), for a total of two counts.  It is alleged that Merz was recklessly driving his Corolla at a high rate of speed when he ran a red light and broadsided the driver’s side of a Camry.  Jason Lonnemann, age 24, and the driver of the Camry, was seriously injured by the crash.  The backseat passenger in his car, Brandon J. Sega, age 25, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.  The front seat passenger in the Camry was also transported to the hospital with Lonnemann for her injuries.  Arraignment for Merz is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7th, 2016 in courtroom 2B at 345 S. High Street.