West Virginia man faces trial for 2023 fatal crash

A jury trial has been scheduled for October 15 in Columbiana County Municipal Court for Anthony L. Thornabar, a 39-year-old man from Spencer, West Virginia. Thornabar faces charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular manslaughter stemming from a fatal collision in January 2023.

According to an affidavit from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when Thornabar, driving a Dodge Ram pickup, failed to stop or yield at the intersection of state Route 45 and Teegarden Road. Thornabar reportedly admitted to not seeing a southbound Nissan Altima as he crossed the intersection. The collision resulted in the death of 44-year-old Trevor Lee Reed of Salem, who died from his injuries the following day at Mercy Health St. Elizabeth Hospital.

While the misdemeanor charges were originally filed in January 2024, the arraignment did not take place until the fall of 2025.