Authorities probe Feb. 22 crash

The victim called police from Cleveland Clinic to admit his injury was from an accident.

Staff Report

MERCER, Pa. — Just a week ago, Jason Lane, 26, of New Wilmington, Pa., called 911 to report that his friend had fallen down a flight of stairs at another friend’s home.

Since that time, the report has changed drastically.

Lane called from the other friend’s home to request an ambulance for 26-year-old Bret Cox of New Wilmington. Lane said Cox had lost feeling in his legs due to a fall. Lane said it happened at 3 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 22.

Cox was transported to St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown, then later was transferred to Cleveland Clinic, officials said.

From the Clinic, Cox called the New Wilmington Police Department to report that his injuries were a result of a car accident he was in with Lane and Seth Bolyard, 22, of Mercer, Pa., on Feb. 21.

The three men were on their way home when Lane lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree on Courtney Road in Findley Township.

“This incident occurred as the operator and passengers were out drinking,” a police report states.

“All three suffered injuries in the crash,” the report continues.

After the wreck, Lane called his girlfriend, Katey Huling, 21, of New Wilmington, and she and a friend, Caroline Kurpe, 24, of Mercer, picked up the three men and fled the scene, the report states.

Cox was “disoriented and injured,” but was placed into Kurpe’s car and taken from the scene without medical attention, the report states.

Lane had two other friends help tow the car to his mother’s house, where it was then covered in a blue tarp and the license plate was removed, the report states. The report gives no explanation for their actions.

All those involved are considered to have participated in the alleged crimes, which police listed as a hit-and-run and filing of false reports.

The Cleveland Clinic would not release a condition report for Cox, but said he was discharged. The severity of his injuries are unknown, but it’s been reported that he suffered some paralysis.

No additional information was available Saturday.