Man Accused of Drug-Related Crash, Claiming Lives of Woman and Children, to Face Court

Columbus, Ohio —

Due back in court on Thursday to face charges of aggravated vehicular homicide is a Piketon man who police claimed was under the influence of drugs at the time of a crash that claimed many lives.

Three counts of aggravated vehicular homicide are being brought against Gage Smith in connection with the deaths of Xavier Smith, age five, Madison Copas, age six, and Navy Copas, age four. For the death of 28-year-old Courtney Copas, who subsequently passed away in the hospital, he could soon be facing a fourth accusation.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Smith, 22, was traveling north on SR-104 when he lost control while attempting to overtake another vehicle on the tiny two-lane road.

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He collided head-on with a pickup truck pulling an RV south. The pick-up was thrown off the road by the impact.

Then it crashed into a Chevy Cavalier carrying a mom and her three kids.

Madison Copas, age six, will have her funeral on Saturday. The funeral arrangements for the remaining victims are still unknown.

Smith is scheduled to return to court on Thursday morning for an initial hearing. He’s still being held at Scioto County Jail.