18-year-old pleads not guilty in crash that killed 2 Ohio teens

July 23, 2015 at 11:11a.m.

CLEVELAND (AP) — The 18-year-old behind the wheel in a crash that killed two northeast Ohio high school seniors has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in connection with the wreck.

Chapin Berk pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of operation without reasonable control.

Police have said the SUV Berk was driving was traveling 55 mph in a 35 mph zone when it veered off the road and hit two trees in Gates Mills in May. Berk told police he swerved to avoid something in the street.

Eighteen-year-olds Alexander Doody and Joshua Weil died in the crash. Berk and another 18-year-old passenger suffered minor injuries.

All four teens were students at Hawken Upper School.