3 are indicted in DUI-related fatality

Adults are accused of providing underage drinkers with booze and a place to consume it.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- Three people are charged with the March 1 traffic death of a 16-year-old Leetonia girl who authorities say had been given alcohol.
A Columbiana County grand jury recently handed up secret indictments for Joseph McCallister, 21, of Teegarden Road, Lisbon, and for Wanita Bolton, 29, and Travis Bolton, 30, both of Hillside Drive, Hanoverton.
Felony charges
All three are charged with involuntary manslaughter, a third-degree felony bearing a maximum penalty of five years in jail, in the death of Lisa Groner.
McCallister also is charged with five counts of furnishing beer or intoxicating liquor to an underage person, a first-degree misdemeanor.
The Boltons, who are husband and wife, are charged with five counts of offenses involving underage people, a first-degree misdemeanor. The misdemeanor offenses each carry a maximum six-month jail sentence.
McCallister and the Boltons were arraigned Friday in county common pleas court and have been released on personal recognizance bonds.
All three pleaded innocent. A pretrial hearing is set for June 5.
What is alleged
Prosecutors say the Boltons, who formerly lived next to McCallister on Teegarden Road, had a party at their home March 1.
Lisa was at the party, and so were and at least four other people too young to drink. Their ages ranged from 17 to 20 years old, authorities say.
After leaving the party, Lisa was driving eastbound on Teegarden Road about 11:44 p.m. when her vehicle went off the road at a curve and struck a tree, killing her.
Authorities allege that McCallister and the Boltons helped cause Lisa's death.
McCallister is accused of furnishing the alcohol consumed by Lisa and the other underage partygoers.
The Boltons are accused of providing a place for the underage drinking to occur, county Prosecutor Robert Herron said.
Authorities would not describe the relationship among the partygoers, McCallister and the Boltons.