Lakota West freshman dead after weekend crash; 5 others injured

MIDDLETOWN — A teenager is dead and five people are hurt after a crash that happened in Butler County Saturday night, according to Middletown Police Sergeant R. Rogers.

At approximately 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, Middletown police and medics were dispatched to the area of North Verity Parkway and Hughes Street on reports of a one-vehicle crash.

Upon arrival, police located a vehicle carrying six people. The vehicle left the roadway and overturned into a wooded area, Rogers said.

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Laith Masri, 14, of Liberty Township, died from his injuries, according to Butler County Coroner Lisa L. Mannix.

A spokesperson for Lakota Local Schools confirmed that Masri was a student.

“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of one of our Lakota West Freshman students, Laith Masri. Information has been shared with our families and staff about counseling and grief support that will be available during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Laith’s family and friends, as well as those of our other students who were also involved in the accident,” Betsy Fuller, Community Relations Director at Lokota said.

The other five people suffered injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, Rogers said.

Two of the occupants were transported to Kettering Medical Center and the other three were taken to the Atrium Medical Center.

The crash happened in the area of North Verity Parkway and Hughes Street, WCPO reported. The crash reportedly occurred around 11:15 p.m.

The Middletown Police Department is working with the Butler County Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team to investigate this crash.

Excessive speed is being investigated as a contributing factor, Rogers said.

We will continue to follow this story.

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