Two area families are mourning today after a fatal automobile accident Sunday morning claimed the lives of two Lawrence County men.

Monday, November 01, 1999

Two area families are mourning today after a fatal automobile accident Sunday morning claimed the lives of two Lawrence County men.

At about 12 a.m. Sunday, Jason M. Fliehman, 22, 2324 S. Sixth St., Ironton, was driving southbound on County Road 15, Ohio Highway Patrol dispatcher P.D. Baire said.

"Investigation revealed that Fliehman was driving his 1987 GMC S-15 pickup southbound on County Road 15 when he lost control of the vehicle," Baire said. "His passenger was Jason L. Massie, 20, of 1144 County Road 19, Kitts Hill."

For an as yet unknown reason, Fliehman apparently lost control of the vehicle when he slid off the roadside, OHP reports said.

"Mr. Fliehman lost control of the vehicle and slid off the left side of the roadway, striking a tree," Baire said. "Seat belts were not used by either passenger."

OHP officers, firefighters and Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Service workers responded to the 12:05 a.m. rescue call, and both Fliehman and Massie were transported to River Valley Health System, Baire said.

"Both were pronounced dead at RVHS," he said. "The cause of the accident is unknown and we do not know if alcohol usage was or was not involved at this time."

The accident is still under investigation with the Ohio Highway Patrol office.