MOUNT VERNON — The Sept. 12 Knox County Grand Jury indicted Blaine M. Cline of Howard on one charge of aggravated vehicular homicide, a third-degree felony, and three counts of vehicular assault, all fourth-degree felonies.
The charges stem from a single-vehicle accident that occurred on southbound Monroe Mills Road in October 2021. The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the 19-year-old Cline drove off the right side of the road, overcorrected, and then drove off the left side of the road, hitting a tree before overturning.
James Clay Bristow II, 18, of Howard was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Cline, along with two other passengers – Bruce Caruthers, 18, of Mount Vernon and Faith Straight, 16, of Mount Vernon – were flown to Grant Medical Center, according to the OSHP.
Ryland Rine, 17, of Mount Vernon, was transported to Knox Community Hospital.
Neither drugs nor alcohol were factors in the crash.
The grand jury handed down four other indictments in addition to indicting Cline:
Holly N. Daniels, homeless, possession of fentanyl-related compound, fifth-degree felony; and possessing drug abuse instruments, second-degree misdemeanor
Samantha L. Cunningham, Mount Vernon, aggravated possession of drugs, third-degree felony; possession of drugs, first-degree misdemeanor; and possessing drug abuse instruments, second-degree misdemeanor
Ashley M. Ferrell, Mount Vernon, aggravated possession of drugs, third-degree felony
Jacob W.A. Bennett, Delaware, aggravated possession of drugs, fifth-degree felony; and possession of fentanyl-related compound, fourth-degree felony
