Man charged for April crash

SANDUSKY — A Lakewood man is facing several charges related to an April 2023 crash that injured his two passengers. Kenneth D. Rice, 36, is facing these criminal charges: • Two counts of aggravated vehicular assault, both of third-degree felonies • Two counts of vehicular assault, which are fourth-degree felonies • One fifth-degree felony count of cocaine possession • Two misdemeanor counts of OVI Just after 1 a.m. on April 10, Rice was allegedly driving a Lincoln Town Car in Sandusky northbound on Columbus Avenue near East Jefferson Street, according to an Ohio State Highway Patrol report. Rice lost control of the vehicle, which went off the road to the right, struck a curb, a utility pole and a house, the report states. Rice, who was not wearing a seat belt, received suspected serious injuries, according to the report. He was taken to Firelands Regional Medical Center. He allegedly provided a blood sample that showed he was nearly twice the legal limit to drive. His front-seat passenger, a 47-year-old Cleveland woman, sustained suspected serious injuries and was also taken to Firelands. The back-seat passenger, a 42-year-old Cleveland woman, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained suspected serious injuries. She was taken to a Cleveland hospital. Neither woman was wearing a seat belt. Rice was arrested on Sunday. As of late Thursday, he was incarcerated at Erie County Jail on a $42,000 bond. His next court date is at 10:30 a.m. on March 10 in Erie County Common Pleas Court.