New details were released Wednesday, in the ATV crash that led to the death of 18-year old Mikayla Focht.
Jacob Helsel, 18, is now facing charges for the April crash. Helsel was driving the Jeep that police said hit Focht moments after she had been thrown from the ATV.
Charges were originally only filed against Trenton Bilak for homicide by vehicle and DUI.
Police said Bilak was leaving a party on an ATV, with Focht riding on the back, when they ran into a deer causing the two of them to be thrown, with Focht laying in the road.
In his statement to police, Helsel said he was following behind the ATV, claiming he lost control of his Jeep and swerved into a telephone pole; That’s when he said he found Bilak standing at the feet of Focht.
Police said the Jeep had run over Focht, before hitting the telephone. Police said Helsel and Bilak removed the Jeep and ATV from the scene without calling for help. They claim they didn’t have cell phone service and left to make the call and change clothes at a friend’s house.
Police said the only call received from the crash site was after 6 a.m., two hours after the crash.
Helsel is facing accidents involving death, tampering or fabricating evidence and falsifying information to police. He is also being charged with indecent assault for an incident that allegedly took place with a 17-year old female at the party before the crash.
