3 Trumbull County Marine recruits dead after 7-car pile-up in Warren

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN

alcorn@vindy.com

LEAVITTSBURG

Three Trumbull County Marine Corps recruits on their way to Cleveland to take a military entrance exam were killed in a seven-car pile-up Wednesday afternoon on state Routes 5 and 82 at Burnett Road in Warren Township.

Killed were Zachery A. Nolen of Newton Falls, 19; Joshua A. Sherbourne of Southington, 21, and Michael T. Theodore Jr. of Warren, 19.

The Warren Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said the crash occurred when a 2008 Pontiac G6, driven by Marine Sgt. Charles Keene, was hit from behind by a 2005 International tractor-trailer rig just as the car, carrying the Marine recruits, was about to proceed through the intersection.

The initial crash investigation indicates that the Marines’ vehicle was forced into the intersection by the impact, spun around and was hit multiple times by several other vehicles.

At this time, the OSHP said seven vehicles, including a motorcycle, were involved in the crash.

The driver of the truck, which was westbound on Routes 5/82, was driven by Donald Williams of Youngstown.

Keene and his front seat passenger, Karl McDermont III of Masury, also a recruit, were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

Nolen, Sherbourne and Theodore, riding in the back seat of the vehicle, were either pronounced dead at the scene or later in the evening at a local hospital, the patrol said.

While some drivers and passengers in the other vehicles involved were transported to multiple local hospitals.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.